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Overview of Brownfields
1. BROWNFIELDS: A DEVELOPMENT
GAME CHANGER
Elizabeth Limbrick, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) TAB
Oral Saulters, Kansas State University TAB
Sarah Sieloff, Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR)
Ignacio Dayrit, CCLR
Rebecca Otte, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission
2. What is TAB?
2
TAB is a technical
assistance program,
funded by the USEPA,
which is intended to
serve as an
independent resource
to communities and
nonprofits attempting
to assess, cleanup
and reclaim
brownfields.
Technical Assistance for Brownfields
3. Definition
3
What is a Brownfield Site?
A property whose full use is hindered by fears
of environmental contamination
Liability / Funding to cover remediation costs
“Real Property, the expansion, redevelopment,
or reuse of which may be complicated by the
presence or potential presence of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” EPA
(Real or perceived contamination)
5. How Did We Get Here:
History of Brownfields
5
Philadelphia Mills
Dobson's Mill, 1884, from History of Philadelphia by Scharf & Westcott
Philadelphia Water Department Historical Collection
6. Why Should I Care About
Brownfields?
6
Brownfields are hidden
assets.
You should be interested
in Brownfield
Redevelopment, if you
are interested in:
Improving the
Environment
Improving the Local
Economy
Sustainability
8. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
8
Redevelopment
Site Preparation
Environmental Remediation
Environmental Investigation
Acquisition / Site Control
Site Identification / Community Involvement / Planning
9. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
9
• Inventory
• Single Site
• Common Types of Sites
• Area-wide Approach to Sites
Site Identification
• Analyze community needs and preference to
prioritize development strategies
• Can be a critical piece of redevelopment
• Often ignored by developers
Community Involvement
10. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
10
• Evaluating existing environmental conditions, local
market potential, and area infrastructure
improvements needed;
• Developing strategies for brownfields site
cleanup/reuse;
• Identifying resources or leveraging opportunities to
implement their plans;
• With community input.
Planning
11. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
11
Phase I / All Appropriate Inquiry
Purchase or sale agreement
Involuntary acquisition methods
tax foreclosure
eminent domain
Site Access Agreement with option to purchase
Acquisition / Site Control
12. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
12
Phase III Remedial Investigation
Quantification: What is the nature
and extent of our contamination?
How much?
Phase II Site Investigation
Qualification: Do we have
contamination/environmental issues?
Yes or No?
Phase I Preliminary Assessment
What environmental issues could we have?
Environmental InvestigationEnvironmental Investigation
13. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
13
Implement Remedial Action Work Plan
• Conduct Clean Up
• Ensure Clean Up Was Effective
Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP)
Actions that will be taken to address identified contamination
Clean Up (Remediation)
14. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
14
Measure of Finality
Remedial Action Report
Documents implementation and effectiveness of
Remedial Actions
Clean up (Remediation)
15. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
15
Infrastructure Improvements
Site Clearing
Demolition
Permits / Approvals
Site Preparation
16. What is Typically Involved with
Redeveloping a Brownfield?
16
Property is occupied and operating as its
planned reuse.
Ownership and leasing transactions are finalized
Construction
Integrated Remediation (cap)
Redevelopment
17. How much will this Cost?
17
How much will it cost to investigate and
remediate the site?
It depends on the level, type, amount, and extent of
contamination, and cleanup standards.
Phase I $5,000
Phase II $5,000 to well over $100,000
Phase III??? $5,000 - $300,000+
Remediation $20,000 - $1Million+
How long will the cleanup take?
It depends on the level, type, amount, and extent
of contamination, cleanup standards, and funding.
18. Example Timeframes Brownfield
Redevelopment
18
Phase I
secure funds
(variable)
RFP (variable)
hire consultant
(variable)
Conduct
Phase I
(See above
plus 2 months)
Phase II
secure funds
(variable)
RFP (variable)
hire consultant
(variable)
Conduct
Phase II
(see above
plus 2-4
months)
Phase III
secure funds
(variable)
RFP (variable)
hire consultant
(variable)
Conduct
Phase III
(see above
plus 2 month
to 5 years+)
Environmental
Remediation
secure funds
(variable)
RFP (variable)
hire consultant
(variable)
Conduct
Remediation
(see above
plus
variable (1
month to 2
years+ for
easy site))
23. TAB Program Contacts
Blase Leven
TAB Program Coordinator
785.532.0780
baleven@ksu.edu
www.ksutab.org
Sarah Sieloff
Executive Director
415-398-1080 x 101
sarah.sieloff@cclr.org
Ignacio Dayrit
Director of Programs
415-728-3848
ignacio.dayrit@cclr.org
www.cclr.org
Colette Santasieri, PhD
Program Director
973-642-4165
santasieri@njit.edu
Elizabeth Limbrick, LSRP
Project Manager
973-596-5519
Limbrick@njit.edu
www.njit.edu/tab
EPA Regions 1, 3 EPA Regions 2, 4, 9,10 EPA Regions 5, 6, 7, 8
Oral Saulters
TAB Coordinator for R6 States
785-280-0931
osaulter@ksu.edu
24. USEPA K6 Research & Technical
Assistance Grants
24
Financing / Economic Strategies (including RLF Grantees)- Council of
Development Finance Agencies
http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pdfs/K6-14-CDFA.htm
Equitable Development and EJ – Groundwork USA
http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pdfs/K6-14-GWUSA.htm
Job Training - Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute,
Eastern Iowa Community College
http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pdfs/K6-14-HMTRI.htm
Community Benefits of Brownfields Redevelopment (Research) -
Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech – Community Benefits of Brownfields
Redevelopment
http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/pdfs/K6-14-MIVT.htm
25. TAB Provider Service Areas
Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR):
EPA Regions 2, 4, 9,10
R1
R3
R2
R4
NJ Institute of Technology (NJIT):
EPA Regions 1, 3
R10
R9
R10
R9
R5R7
R8
R6
Kansas State University (KSU): EPA Regions 5, 6, 7, 8
Editor's Notes
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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).
VCP
Access investigation / cleanup funds
Site is prepared for construction.
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.
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.
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
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: