Overview of Brownfields

Editor's Notes

• #2: Thank you. I am very happy to represent the New Jersey Inst. Of Tech TAB program. Other colleagues Introduction and Overview of Brownfield Redevelopment Process Resources EPA / State BF Programs Economic Development / Infrastructure Programs Technical Assistance Programs Case Study – New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
• #3: The TAB teams are comprised of planners, environmental scientists and engineers who want to help get you through the brownfields identification, assessment, cleanup and redevelopment processes. Our goal is to facilitate the redevelopment of brownfield sites with new and positive land uses that once again contribute to the community. We do this by providing technical advice, strategic planning, and education. Communities, regional entities and nonprofits interested in brownfields FREE, FREE, FREE – Does not cost you anything – does not come out of your grant. It is easier to tell you what we do than what we don’t do: We aren’t your environmental consultant – we don’t collect samples, we don’t analyze samples, we don’t write your Phase I report We don’t write you grant proposals (but we will review them) Outside of that we have a wide-range of services, as long as it is related to brownfields, such as strategic planning, and guidance on managing brownfield sites.
• #4: A brownfield site is a property whose full use is hindered by fears of environmental contamination (such as fears of liability for the clean up and funds to pay for the cleanup). I will read the EPA Definition brownfields with you: Real or perceived contamination
• #6: 18th Century – Industrial Revolution: Transitioned from predominantly agrarian and rural, to industrial and urban society machines, new chemical manufacturing, iron production, factory systems industrial chemicals and wastes: sulfuric acid, soda ash, limes, dyes, wood pulp, animal byproducts wastes: buried, dumped, discharged to waterways 19th Century: Urban populations grew; neighborhoods formed around industry rendering plants, tanneries, metalworking shops, scrap yards, ship building Wastes: wood preservatives, paints, solvents, coal tar, petroleum products Still buried, dumped, and discharged to waterways 20th Century: More chemical plants, petroleum refineries, and munitions industries Synthetic materials: plastics, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides (DDT) Mid- 1900’s: Urban exodus; economic shift industries, factories, warehouses, rail yards, and mills that were once part of our nation's economic and historic fabric – obsolete, moved Abandoned industrial sites; soil and water contamination By the 1960s: the beginning of a national awakening to the environmental ills perpetrated by industrial America – Environmental legislation began But we still have “new” brownfield sites, too: Think of the abandoned gas station and dry cleaner… Historically, brownfields were difficult to develop because of the cost and the risk involved. Developers and investors had to consider the additional expense of cleaning up contaminated land as part of the site preparation. They also had to assume the inherent risk and unknowns related to the adequacy of the remediation from the perspective of the regulators and lenders. Which really gets to the issue of liability and uncertainty – After Love Canal, CERCLA (aka Superfund law) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act was passed. Joint and Several and Retroactive Liability. All persons associated with the polluted site were liable during the cleanup process, regardless of who was responsible for polluting it. Thus, any prospective purchaser, remediation company, or fiduciary institution that became associated with a brownfield property assumed great financial risk and potential liability for its cleanup. Bankers (Lenders) were very concerned about this risk, and would not issue loans. There were various reforms to the laws in the 1990s, but in 2002, CERCLA was modified and it provided protection from liability for innocent purchasers. In addition, tax incentives were provided, and the USEPA Grant program was established. Many urban area were largely void of businesses by the 1980s.  The effects of years of flight and abandonment on our business district are only now just beginning to abate. Mills, machine shops, local printers, dry cleaners, gas stations and auto body shops, once thrived. Now their ghostly, aging buildings are often abandoned — constant reminders of lost economic prosperity. These brownfields require considerable attention from an economic development and environmental perspective
• #7: Why is Brownfield Redevelopment Important? Why is BF Redev. Important Is it better to leave Contaminated property contaminated? Or is it better to cleanup and develop a new use for the property? Fostering New Growth on Old Land Economic, Environmental, and Societal Benefits Economic – Links the Environment and Economy Return abandoned and underutilized properties to the tax roles Increase local tax base Every $1 federal dollar invested in brownfields remediation and redevelopment creates roughly an $18 return New jobs Typically brownfield properties are available at reduced real estate prices Let’s start with Economic Returning abandoned and underutilized properties to the tax roles Increase local tax base blighted properties are bad taxpayers themselves” and reduce property values in the surrounding area. By contrast, redeveloped sites can increase property values in a 3/4 mile radius by 5-15% Every $1 federal dollar invested in brownfields remediation and redevelopment creates roughly an $18 return Create New jobs There are also Environmental / Societal Benefits Cleans up the Environment Eliminates health and safety hazards Alleviates fears and worries for neighbors Values Existing Infrastructure Reduces Development Pressure for Undeveloped Land – Preserves Greenspace and Farmland 1 brownfield acre redeveloped saves 4.5 acres of greenfield area Prevents Sprawl – Encourages Planned Growth Less Vehicle Miles traveled More sustainable land use – Values existing infrastructure Preserve Greenspace Prevent Sprawl – Encourages Planned Growth 1 brownfield acre redeveloped saves 4.5 acres of greenfield area Air Quality Improvements. In comparison to alternative greenfields projects, save between 23 -52% of vehicle miles traveled. This translates directly to air emissions reductions or savings of a similar magnitude – This turns communities from drive-by communities into Destinations.
• #9: This represents a typical laundry list of the phases that are undertaken for BF redevelopment. Everything is site specific and would be tailored to your particular site or sites. PART I Visioning - Recognize a community or economic need. Formulating Reuse Scenarios - Evaluate business opportunity, financial viability, economic impacts and environmental conditions for the reuse of a property. Part 2 – Acquisition / Site Control Part 3 – Environmental Investigation PART 4 Implementing Redevelopment – Conduct environmental remediation, construction and renovation steps, and ultimately redevelop and sell the property
• #11: Community identifies needs and formulates reuse scenarios A reuse assessment should consider the following: � Property Condition. To evaluate physical condition, obsolescence, defects, deferred maintenance, and items requiring capital investment. The assessment should include an analysis of the site, building structure, mechanical and electrical systems, safety issues (like fire protection), recommended building code compliance reviews, building interior and environmental conditions. Community Impact. To evaluate compatibility with community goals, planning and zoning, public safety issues, and value impacts on surrounding property values. Context. To evaluate relationship with surrounding properties, area vitality, and stakeholders. Opportunity. To identify economic assets, economic development opportunities, reuse scenarios, and resulting economic impacts Implementation Strategies. To identify possible players, partnering opportunities, and funding mechanisms. This assessment should answer the following strategic questions: Is the site marketable / useable as is? What needs to be done to make it marketable / usable? Is there a public benefit for reuse? What are the hurdles? What strategies will get us to reuse? Consider short/term intermediate re-use. Another Planning step: Coordination of intra-governmental relations: - Set up the right team. Who do you need? Economic development, planning, public works, environmental, solid waste, housing, public safety, engineering, transportation, human services, legal. Consider designating a coordinator / Point Person Coordination of inter-governmental relations – Set up the right team. Who do you need? City/ County / State Coordination with Stakeholders Coordination of funding / financing
• #12: 2. Local government/non-profit acquires purchase agreement for property Once the site is obtained, any zoning changes or variances that may be required for the planned reuse should be pursued (e.g., changing the property’s zoning from industrial to commercial).
• #13: VCP Access investigation / cleanup funds
• #16: Site is prepared for construction.
• #17: Ultimately the site is redeveloped. Based on assessment activities, planned cleanup actions, and stakeholder input, developers are typically able to integrate cleanup and construction activities. Engineers for cleanup and construction activities have developed detailed plans for streamlining the process and ensuring all issues are resolved so that the redevelopment process runs smoothly. This portion of the redevelopment process is extremely time-sensitive as construction delays may cause overall increases in redevelopment costs.
• #18: For example, if the groundwater under the site is contaminated, the cost of cleanup is likely to be much higher than if just the soil is contaminated. If the contaminated materials need to be transported off site for treatment that will also affect the cost. The cost will also depend on the standards that apply to the cleanup, particularly whether the use of the property is considered in setting cleanup levels. If a brownfield property is cleaned up to commercial use standards, for example, rather than residential use standards, the cleanup will typically be less expensive. The cost to the property owner of the cleanup will also be affected by whether there are other parties, such as previous owners of the property, that are also responsible for the contamination and can contribute to the costs. Trails: $260 per linear foot estimate for Manhan Trail in MA (for disposal of asbestos contaminated soil) $750,000 for a 3.3 mile trail segment using a cap (crushed stone) Betsie Valley Trail (MI) (5 years from start of investigation to completion of remediation) $1,000,000 for 0.4 mile Doyle Street Greenway in CA This program provides financial incentives for the redevelopment of brownfields, which are sites that either qualify for the Voluntary Cleanup Program or are contaminated by oil. To be eligible, these properties must be former industrial or commercial sites that pose a threat to public health or the environment. Sites located in densely populated urban centers that are substantially underutilized also qualify for the program. Funding will be available to prospective purchasers or other persons not responsible for the hazardous waste or oil contamination. Redevelopment of these sites will help revitalize industrial and commercial areas. Local governments are encouraged to participate in the Brownfields Revitalization Incentive Program (BRIP). If the local government elects to participate, a prospective purchaser or developer can receive a 5- year and up to 70% property tax credit on the increased value of the property as a result of the cleanup. A prospective purchaser or developer may submit an eligibility request for financial incentives to DBED at the same time an application is submitted to MDE for participation in the Voluntary Cleanup program. Economic development criteria are included in the Statue for determining eligibility for the BRIP. For more information regarding the Voluntary Cleanup Program please contact James Carroll, Maryland Department of the Environment, at 410-537-3493. For more information regarding the Brownfields Revitalization Incentive Program, please contact Jim Henry, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Department, at 410-767-6353.
• #19: Note – that This is not every step. There is no “average site” so there is no “average timeframe”. However, timeframes for redevelopment vary from 6 months to 10 years and beyond. Best scenario: property is owned minimal contamination permits are in place funding has been secured redevelopment plans have been approved
• #25: K6 grants fund organizations to provide brownfields training, research, and technical assistance to individuals and organizations These recipients are open to assisting all current and past EPA grantees and communities interested in brownfields technical assistance. There are four recipients: