What are Brownfields?
Brownfields are properties, particularly under-used industrial or commercial areas that have been abandoned because of perceived environmental contamination. Some examples include abandoned factories or manufacturing plants. Other examples are old commercial buildings and warehouses, or perhaps dry cleaners and gas stations where hazardous substances were once used. Usually, these places become barriers to city expansion, which result in occasional patches of undeveloped land between the developed areas.
Drawbacks of Brownfields
Aside from being unsightly, brownfields create an adverse impact on the environment. Addressing these properties with redevelopment may be complicated due to the possible hazardous pollutants that may be present. Yet, reinvesting and revitalizing these properties not only helps to protect the environment, but also utilizes existing buildings, improves job growth, and creates an alternative to developing greenspaces and working land. When brownfields are avoided due to developmental complications, new businesses begin to pop up in undeveloped areas on the edges of the city increasing the issues of urban sprawl. The brownfields themselves, considering that some of them are abandoned spaces with toxic residues still present, may become a source of harmful chemicals leaching into the environment.
EPA’s Goal
Today, in recognition of the silent adverse environmental effects of brownfields, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made efforts to revitalize these unused areas. The EPA’s Brownfields Program, first implemented in 1995, creates a host of benefits for the community. It promotes partnerships for communities and other stakeholders to work hand in hand in order to assess, clean up, and responsibly reuse brownfield properties.
This EPA revitalization program secures 7.5 jobs for every $100,000 of EPA Brownfields funding. It also leverages nearly $18 for every $1 the EPA expends. In addition, the redeveloped brownfield sites have a great relocation efficiency. 33-57% reduction was achieved in vehicle miles traveled as compared to greenfield sites. These are underdeveloped sites that are often found in rural areas and are commonly used for agriculture. Development in greenfield sites not only reduces working land, but also increases transportation and the greenhouse gases that accompany it. Revitalizing brownfield sites also increases property value by 2-3% in the community. In essence, this sustainable reuse of property promotes the community’s quality of life.
Brownfield Property Owners
While there may be approximately 450,000 brownfield areas in the U.S., there is hope of revitalization through the EPA Brownfields Program. In fact, property owners will receive direct financial assistance and tax incentives from federal, local, and state levels.
