Building Vibrant Communities: Community Benefits of Land Revitalization
1. B U I L D I N G V I B R A N T C O M M U N I T I E S:
COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF LAND REVITALIZATION
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2. Foreword
In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency partners, who we highlight throughout the report.
(EPA) launched a small pilot program called The purpose of this report is to help us all rethink,
“brownfields” with an initial grant of $200,000 to make new connections, and broaden our idea of the
Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Through this pilot, a seven resources available to clean up brownfields properties,
acre site was assessed and cleaned up, 141 jobs revitalize our communities, create new economic
were created, and two sites were created for healthy opportunities, and improve our nation’s environment
new businesses. It also sparked a movement to clean and health.
In 1998, EPA awarded its first Brownfields up and redevelop idled, underused, abandoned, and
Job Training grants. JFYNetWorks in Boston, vacant properties throughout the country. I understand that in today’s economic conditions,
Massachusetts, used this funding to train brownfield tools are needed more than ever to
community members to become environmental
technicians. Today, the EPA Brownfields Program has changed the clean up and redevelop brownfield properties for
landscape of America’s communities and transformed sustainable uses that create local jobs. EPA has to
once vacant properties into beacons of hope for many meet that challenge by working and listening to local
economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.To date, communities, fostering public-private partnerships,
the program has provided more than 2,500 grants and providing flexibility in our resources. I look to
totaling more than $600 million in direct funding you to challenge us as to how EPA and the Federal
to communities, which leveraged an additional Government can assist you to help revitalize local
$12 billion from other sources to assess, clean up communities.
and reuse brownfields. This investment has yielded
more than 54,000 jobs – many in disadvantaged Mathy Stanislaus
communities. While these statistics are impressive, EPA Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and
there is also a broad range of additional community- Emergency Response
wide benefits that can result from the redevelopment
and reuse of brownfield properties.
This report highlights these other community
benefits and potential redevelopment opportunities
to create more vibrant, healthy, safe, and sustainable
communities. Specifically, the report highlights Prepared under:
the potential use of brownfields for agriculture and Contract No. EP-W-07-023
food systems, arts and culture, housing and mixed
uses, and other community and civic uses such as Prepared for:
greenspace, schools, and health care facilities. Of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
course, these benefits and the Brownfields Program Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
itself could not occur without our numerous federal, Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
state, municipal, nonprofit, and private sector Washington, D.C. 20460
5. Introduction
“A brownfield is a grain
An abandoned factory, a boarded up corner gas Brownfields revitalization has been successful—not
station, a run down mill. In communities across the just at individual properties, but block-by-block and of sand around which
country, we see brownfields of every shape and size. beyond. There are hundreds of examples where the the pearl of
It is hard to miss the graffiti-laced walls, the broken clearing of environmental concerns at one distressed community develops.”
windows, the caved in roofs. It is equally hard to property paved the way for the property to return to
dismiss the unknown environmental contaminants productive reuse. We see dozens of examples where
Clark Henry – Brownfields Coordinator,
and health hazards brownfields can pose. blight is reversed with regeneration—where one City of Portland, Oregon
property’s reuse spurs community-wide revitalization.
Degradation often spreads beyond the boundary of Sidewalks and streets are improved. Trees and flowers
one property to blight an entire neighborhood or are planted. New lighting is installed. A community
community. Surrounding streets become stagnant center gets refurbished. Businesses and residents
and unsafe. Concerns about safety and crime return to the area. The ripple effects can spread
rates increase. Residents and businesses move through the community—fear and crime rates fall,
out. Property values decline. Retirees, residents, access to services and healthcare improves, property
business owners, and employees that remain behind values increase, a tax base is restored.
may need to go further to access goods or services.
The inspiration and creativity that formed the What is it that distinguishes one property cleanup
neighborhood’s original vibrancy can fade away. and reuse success from another, and what stimulates
change well beyond its original property lines?
Fortunately, more than two decades ago, civic leaders What creates a safer environment and an economic
began working to reclaim their communities. The resurgence while creating a healthier and more
nation embarked on an experiment in environmental sustainable community? Answering those questions is Redevelopment is underway at Portland,
protection, involving aspects of environmental justice Oregon’s South Waterfront
the next part of the brownfields experiment. Will you
and economic development, to address the growing be one of the next generation of brownfield leaders?
challenge of cleaning up and revitalizing brownfield
properties. Environmental justice advocates and We hope this report motivates and inspires citizens,
citizen groups rallied to reverse the decline of developers, urban planners, non-governmental
neighborhoods. Cities, states, nonprofit organizations organization (NGO) leaders, academics, policy
and tribal nations responded, and public and private makers, business owners, and community
developers saw a market opportunity. EPA began a development, environmental, and health officials
pilot program to provide seed money to catalyze this to explore the possibilities. This report highlights
movement, and other federal agencies retooled their the important, yet sometimes less tangible benefits
funding and assistance to aid the cause. that brownfields redevelopment can bring to your
community.
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6. Introduction continued...
This report provides only a small sampling of the Join those communities that have reinvigorated
many brownfield community collaborations— their land and built vibrant, healthy, sustainable
through case studies and several anecdotal stories communities.
as well as photos and external research—to give you
a sense of what is possible. We provide resource
links and information about innovative partnerships
to spur your imagination.
In addition to supporting and becoming involved in brownfields revitalization, you can
strengthen your community right now by doing the following:
• Participate in a community garden • Use public transportation
• Volunteer with a local organization • Celebrate your community’s history
• Improve your home’s curb appeal • Work with community leaders on a
• Start a new business blighted property
• Support your local farmers market • Speak up for your neighborhood
• Meet your neighbors • Save a historic building
• Organize social activities on your street • Help to create community greenspace
• Attend community events and meetings • Participate in cultural activities
• Walk to your local park • Support activities at local schools
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7. 1. Successful Brownfields Redevelopment
A brownfield is a property affected by real
or perceived contamination that inhibits
Brownfield properties are diverse. They come in all As shown in Figure 1, approximately 2,500 grants redevelopment.
sizes—from a fraction of an acre to hundreds of have been awarded across the country since 1995.
acres. They are located in urban, suburban and rural In addition, these grants total more than $600 Land revitalization refers to the process
locations. Some properties may have little to no million in direct funding to communities, enabling of assessing a property for contamination,
cleaning up contamination (if found), and
contamination, while others require cleanup to ensure these communities to leverage an additional $12
returning the property to productive use.
protection of the community and environmental billion from other sources to assess, clean up and
health. Contamination at these properties—whether reuse brownfields.
perceived or actual—can cause them to lay idle,
underused, abandoned or vacant; this can lead In addition to the funding and support provided EPA’s Brownfields Program has enabled:
to blight and disinvestment in neighborhoods or by EPA’s Brownfields Program, there are numerous
communities. state, tribal, local, private and nonprofit partners • Assessment of more than 14,000
properties
that provide funding and technical support to assess,
• Cleanup of nearly 400 properties
This section provides a brief overview of the U.S. clean up and revitalize brownfield properties. • Creation of more than 54,000 jobs
EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization • Employment of 3,300 Job Training
(OBLR) Brownfields Program and the broader graduates2
community benefits that can occur from brownfields
revitalization. This section also highlights the Data current as of 8/24/2009
importance of community involvement and EPA Brownfields Program Grants
incorporating elements of sustainability to ensure
these broader community benefits. 3,000
2,500
2,000
EPA Brownfields Program 1,500
Grants
In many cases, brownfield properties remain vacant 1,000
or idle because of a lack of funding to assess or 500 Funding
clean up the property. In response, EPA’s OBLR 0
($M illions)
provides grants to communities, states and tribes to
2009
2003
2005
2007
1995
1997
1999
2001
assess and clean up brownfields. OBLR also provides
grants to train local residents in the technical skills
necessary to become environmental professionals Figure 1: Since 1995, the number of Brownfields
that obtain jobs in local brownfields redevelopment grants awarded yearly has increased tenfold.1
projects near them.
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8. As shown in Figure 2, the EPA Brownfields Program Engaging Communities
“It offers a sense of and its partners have leveraged almost $12 billion
and created 54,000 jobs. Brownfield projects that receive government funding
community pride... require public notice and community involvement.
if people feel they These communities reach out to and involve
have some input and EPA Brownfields Grants stakeholders before, during and after receiving
control in a project Leverage Jobs and Funding funding to ensure success. Community members and
local stakeholders can learn, share information and
like this, that is 60,000 shape brownfields cleanup and redevelopment while
planting a seed for 50,000
also fostering a new generation of community leaders.
ownership in the future.”
40,000 By creating a dialogue among all stakeholders in
a brownfields project, community engagement
Tito Molino – West End Community 30,000
Development Council,
enhances the final reuse of the property and the
Jobs
Bridgeport, Connecticut 20,000 long-term success of the project. Individuals and
organizations also build lasting working relationships
10,000
Funding and stronger community ties. EPA also recognizes
0
($Millions) that community engagement is a vital process to help
alleviate environmental justice concerns for citizens
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
in economically disadvantaged areas and give them a
voice in their community’s future.
Figure 2: As more brownfields are redeveloped,
more jobs are created for the community.3
Early community engagement may also identify
reuses preferred by local stakeholders to fill key
Working together, brownfields revitalization partners market gaps or provide needed services. For example,
across the country have made a substantial impact residents may identify vital, but overlooked, services
in terms of dollars invested and leveraged, properties in the community—such as a full service grocery
cleaned up and jobs created. store, park, bank, senior housing or pharmacy that
may not otherwise be developed.
In addition to these measures of success, a variety of
broader community beliefs have been realized. Often, Successful community engagement results in
these benefits are linked to brownfields revitalization stakeholders identifying new ideas that gain
projects that successfully engage participation of community support, minimize conflict and reduce
the community before and during the redevelopment delays in project completion. All these factors can
process. save time and money for the property owner and
developer, and assure the long-term success of the
project for the entire community.
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9. Participating in the local decision–making process support their project. This builds civic capacity and
empowers and inspires residents to continue helps strengthen bonds among neighbors, creating a U.S. EPA CARE Program
their public participation and address issues in more tightly knit community.
their community beyond the original brownfields EPA’s CARE Program helps to
project. A community’s youth is often a huge This increased civic capacity provides the develop community based solutions
source of untapped creativity that may provide a groundwork for future neighborhood collaboration to environmental issues. CARE grant
recipients engage all members of the
fresh perspective on ways to address brownfields. and revitalization of the community. Learning about community and create local partnerships
For example, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, and participating in local decision making can to access a broad range of viewpoints and
New York developed the Brownfields Buster patch, inspire residents to remain engaged and address services so that the entire community
which is earned by learning about brownfields in the other important issues in their community. decides how best to deal with its
community and suggesting ideas for redevelopment. environmental issues. Find out more at
www.epa.gov/care.
Youth involvement and engagement can also create a The following case study of Market Creek Plaza in
new generation of community leaders. San Diego, California highlights a highly innovative
community engagement process that included a
The brownfields redevelopment process allows public, community development initial public offering.
community and private sector stakeholders to forge
new partnerships, and access new resources to
Community engagement experts recommend
that the process: Through the CARE Program in Marquette,
Michigan, volunteers collect e-waste to prevent
• Include the promise that the public’s contribution improper disposal or dumping
will influence the decision
• Communicate the interests and meets the process
needs of all participants
• Seek out and facilitate the involvement of those
potentially affected
• Involve participants in defining how they participate
• Provide participants with the information they need
to participate in a meaningful way
The more people and viewpoints represented in the • Communicate to participants how their input
brownfields redevelopment process, the more information
communities have to identify the best property reuse. At affected the decision4
a Greensburg, Kansas, design charrette, residents work
together to develop a site plan.
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10. To find tools for public involvement, Case Study: Market Creek Plaza - San Diego, CA
visit www.epa.gov/publicinvovlement/ Neighborhood group develops model for community ownership of neighborhood assets
Involvement.htm.
In an area once known as the ‘Four The Community-Development Initial
For more information about the Jacobs Corners of Death’ in the distressed Public Offering (CD-IPO) was launched in
Diamond Neighborhoods of San 2006, making it possible for community Benefits
Center for Neighborhood Innovation, visit
Diego, California, an abandoned residents to purchase ownership shares in
www.jacobscenter.org, and for more Market Creek Partners, LLC. To date, the
aerospace factory was transformed • Involved 3,000 adults
information about the project, go to www. into a community hub called Market community owns 40 percent of Market and youth and eight
marketcreekplaza.com. Creek Plaza. This mixed use center Creek Partners, LLC; the ultimate goal is design teams in the
has become a community focal point, for 100 percent community ownership planning process
incorporating cultural traditions, arts of this project. Owning a part of this
and entertainment—with a grocery store, innovative project generated a sense of • Filled cultural, retail and
restaurants, retail shops and essential pride and accomplishment throughout the grocery market gaps
services. community.
• Awarded $7.9 million
A major component of the project’s The reuse of this brownfield strengthened dollars in contracts to
success was its in-depth community community ties and established Market minority- or women-
engagement process. Resident working Creek Plaza as a community gathering owned businesses
teams partnered with the Jacobs Center place where neighbors can meet and enjoy
for Neighborhood Innovation to plan, the fruits of their labor. Market Creek Plaza • 415 community
design, build, lease and now own and is now a catalyst for local involvement and members and
operate the Plaza. Planning began with other redevelopment projects. This process organizations now own a
800 neighborhood surveys, numerous serves as a model for other communities part of the development
living room meetings, and several and demonstrates the value of partnership
Neighbors attend a Market Creek community forums to assess what the and the power of eliminating blight to • Created 200 new jobs;
planning meeting community needed. Top on the list was transform a neighborhood. 70 percent of them filled
a major chain grocery store, followed by by residents
restaurants, entertainment and living-
wage jobs. • Restored 1,400 linear
feet of wetlands
Local residents participated in eight
working teams to influence all elements • Generated $42 million
of the project, from community outreach in economic activity in
to building design. Residents were in 2008
charge of developing and implementing
outreach and communication strategies. • Paid a full 10 percent
This helped build capacity among annual return to Diamond
resident leaders as they mobilized the Community Investors in
larger community to participate in the 2007 and 2008
process.
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11. Enhancing Sustainability
For more information on the Sustainable
EPA supports innovative projects that incorporate is cleaned up. Property that was previously Sites Initiative, please go to their Web site
at www.sustainablesites.org.
sustainability into brownfields cleanup and underutilized due to the perception or existence
redevelopment. Sustainability is often defined of contamination is restored to a higher and better
as meeting the needs of the present without use. And greenfields that may otherwise have
compromising the ability of future generations to been developed are left untouched. There are also
meet their own needs.5 However, since the late approaches that can be integrated into brownfields
1980s, human resource use has exceeded the earth’s revitalization to improve sustainability.
capacity to regenerate those resources.6 This means
that globally, we are compromising the ability of Many brownfields partners and other organizations
future generations to meet their needs. provide technical assistance and guidelines to
promote more sustainable designs and features
To reverse this trend and live sustainably, we must into redevelopment projects. For example, the
reduce our impact on the environment, even as Sustainable Sites Initiative is a joint effort by
we improve our social and economic conditions. the American Society of Landscape Architects,
While this may be challenging, it is helpful to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the
think of sustainability as a process and not as an United States Botanic Garden that establishes a
endpoint. Many individual decisions to enhance set of guiding principles for sustainability.7 This
sustainability will combine to reduce our impact on framework helps to show sustainability as a process At community gardens across the country, rain
catchers improve stormwater management
the environment and benefit the entire community. for enhancing human welfare while reducing harmful and double as public art. At one community
The case studies presented throughout this report effects to the environment. garden, children help to install a rain catchment
highlight sustainable features incorporated into each structure.
property’s redevelopment. Many communities across the country revitalize Photo courtesy of Ashley Kyber
brownfields to remove environmental contamination
Cleaning up and revitalizing brownfields inherently and contribute to long-term sustainability. Some
enhances sustainability. Through brownfields communities have made their cleanup process more
revitalization, property that was once contaminated sustainable by reusing and recycling construction
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12. and demolition materials, while others make the • Reusing existing buildings, infrastructure, fixtures
Did you know? property’s reuse sustainable by constructing green, and equipment
energy efficient buildings. In 2008, EPA initiated • Using renewable and recyclable construction
Greenfields and undeveloped land serve 16 Brownfields Sustainability Pilots to explore ways materials
as a carbon sink, offsetting more than 10
to enhance sustainability by providing technical • Building new structures or retrofitting existing
percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas
emissions. Protecting these areas through assistance for achieving greener assessment, structures to be energy and water efficient,
brownfields redevelopment is critical for cleanup and redevelopment approaches to these 16 such as those that are Leadership in Energy
addressing and responding to climate communities across the country. and Environmental Design (LEED®) or ENERGY
change.8 STAR® certified
There are many ways to enhance sustainability during • Integrating green roofs
the brownfield revitalization process: • Improving stormwater management through green
infrastructure
• Green remediation practices that maximize the • Integrating native landscaping
net environmental benefit of the cleanup • Utilizing the property for environmentally
• Comprehensive site planning that considers the focused reuses such as transportation oriented
best use for the property, given its location and development, renewable energy generation,
condition wetlands preservation or organic farming
• Recycling construction and demolition debris
Built on a former brownfield in Newark, EPA Brownfields Sustainability Pilot Profile:
California, Ohlone College Newark Center Houston, Texas - Solar Energy and Green Jobs
for Health Sciences and Technology uses
sustainable elements such as photovoltaic solar The City of Houston’s EPA Sustainability Pilot helped
panels, geothermal heating and cooling, and the city transform a former 300-acre landfill into a
recycled materials in its eco-friendly campus
solar power farm. Not only will this transformation
remove blight in a neighborhood just 10 minutes
from downtown Houston, it will revitalize the area,
meet a portion of the city’s electrical needs, and
bring new green jobs. EPA provided a technical,
regulatory, and financial analysis of this planned
project, which showed the solar farm to be technically
and environmentally feasible. This analysis will help
Houston make the landfill redevelopment project as
sustainable as possible when creating and operating
the renewable energy facility. To see how these
practices can be translated to your community, visit
www.epa.gov/brownfields/sustain_plts/index.htm.
The proposed solar farm
Photo from Google maps
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13. Community Benefits
“To go fast, go alone.
As a brownfield is revitalized, a variety of benefits and neighborhood infrastructure. Figure 3 shows
can be realized throughout a community. A ripple how the ripple effect from brownfield revitalization To go far, go together.”
effect can occur that brings community benefits becomes a catalyst to spread community benefits
beyond the original cleanup and property. African Proverb
for health, the environment, the local economy, a
community’s civic capacity, neighborhood identity,
Community Benefits of Brownfield Revitalization: A Ripple Effect
In St. Paul, Minnesota, the immigrant Hmong
community celebrates the groundbreaking of a
Hmong funeral home on a former brownfield.
A funeral is one of the most sacred traditional
rites in Hmong culture, and this redevelopment
project provides the community a place to honor
its culture and heritage.
Figure 3: The ripple effect of brownfields investment: Communities use brownfields funding to assess and
clean up their properties if needed. Through the property’s revitalization, jobs may be created, contamination
may be reduced, blight may be removed, surrounding property values may increase. This may cause a ripple
effect of additional community benefits.
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14. trees can reduce energy demand and heat island
Health and effects while improving stormwater management
and reducing certain air pollutants.
Environmental Benefits
• Using sustainable construction techniques,
equipment or materials to reduce material
consumption, water and energy use also improves
Cleaning up a contaminated site reduces exposure the community’s environmental health.
to contaminants not just onsite, but also offsite by
halting the migration of contamination into nearby • Health can be improved if a walking trail,
air, soil and water. To date, nearly 400 properties supermarket or community health clinic is located
have been cleaned up using EPA Brownfields funding, on a former brownfield site; this can improve
From brownfields to soccer fields - Atlanta
helping to improve the health of the surrounding access to exercise, fresh food or health care and
youth have a new place to exercise. Photo after
(above) and before (below) redevelopment. communities and environment.9 The following services that may not have previously existed.
highlights the many health and environmental • Turning a former brownfield into some form of
benefits that are associated with brownfields projects: greenspace—such as restored habitat, wetlands,
• Exposure to contamination is reduced or parks, forests or trails—can improve the aesthetics
eliminated. of the area as well as physical and mental health.
Residents can have a place for physical movement
• Brownfields reuse is a proven smart growth and access to nature, which provides them with
approach that has been linked with a reduction in physical and mental health benefits.
vehicle miles traveled which in turn improves air
quality and reduces associated health risks such • Planting gardens provides access to healthy
as asthma.10 Reusing a brownfield in an area with food and reduces stress as they provide a calm,
existing development can enhance neighborhood restorative feeling shown to improve health.11
walkability by providing additional services close These less tangible quality of life characteristics
to other amenities. are often what define a community as a great
place to live.
• Reusing brownfield property also eases
development pressure on greenfields, which are • Planting trees can improve the feel of
critical for maintaining healthy watersheds and communities while absorbing and sequestering
providing forestry products. carbon, regulating temperature, and absorbing rain
or snow to reduce runoff.12 Trees provide shade for
• Pedestrian-friendly developments provide places buildings during the summer, which can reduce
for residents to interact, enjoy the outdoors and energy bills by 15 to 35 percent compared to
exercise. streets that are not shaded.13
• Sustainable redevelopment projects that include a
green building, permeable pavement, or additional
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15. • Certain types of brownfield reuse can also create
green jobs. Architecture, design, engineering, Green jobs are positions in agriculture,
Economic Benefits construction, agriculture-related, renewable manufacturing, research and development,
energy manufacturing, environmental services and administrative, and service activities aimed
at alleviating the myriad environmental
consulting, and energy efficiency companies that
threats faced by humanity.16 Jobs
locate on a former brownfield can all provide green associated with brownfield revitalization
Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment is a primary
jobs. (e.g., assessment and/or cleanup) are
driver for attracting investment and business to
considered green jobs, as are the jobs
communities that may otherwise be overlooked. With created through the site’s reuse if they are
• All types of new jobs create a multiplier effect:
environmental uncertainties addressed, property aimed at addressing environmental threats.
workers spend more money in the area in which
owners face reduced liability and new incentives
they work, further boosting the local economy.
for property redevelopment. The successful
In addition, numerous studies have shown the
transformation of one property may encourage
direct link between property improvement and the
interest and development in the surrounding area.
increase in surrounding property values.15 Those
who have been invested in the neighborhood for
Brownfields redevelopment also demonstrates
years can benefit as their homes and businesses
significant potential to generate new green jobs for
increase in value. As property values and incomes
environmental professionals who assess and clean up
increase, the local tax base likewise increases,
properties. EPA’s investment in communities through
potentially translating into improved services for
its Brownfields grants helped to leverage more than
the community.
54,000 jobs related to property assessment, cleanup
and reuse.14 The following highlights many of the
other economic benefits associated with brownfields Capacity Building
projects: Benefits Residents participate in a Winston-Salem, North
Carolina Job Training Program funded by an EPA
• Some types of brownfield reuse can create jobs Brownfields grant
that increase local income and decrease poverty Enhancing the capacity building of individuals and Photo courtesy of Tim Brinkley
rates in the surrounding area, thus providing public, nonprofit and private organizations provides
financial stability to residents. For example, long-term benefits to the community beyond a single
the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Redevelopment brownfield project. Improving social connectivity
Authority used its EPA Brownfields Assessment gives neighbors the chance to get to know one
grant to transform a former automotive part store another and lays the foundation for future local
into a bioscience facility, creating 27 new well- collaboration. Many of these benefits have already
paying jobs. Johnstown has been successful in been described on pages two through four of this
transforming additional neighboring properties into report. Other benefits include:
productive reuses, restoring an entire area and
bringing clean industry and jobs back to the city. • Opportunities to foster environmental justice
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16. by leveraging new investment and jobs in achievement, civic participation and well-being.
Community capacity building provides an distressed communities. It also improves the local Brownfields often provide ideal locations to
opportunity for all people, regardless of environment and provides a stronger degree of integrate housing options close to other services,
culture or income, to have equal access protection from environmental and health hazards. which helps reduce vacancies, improve health and
to the decision making process.
strengthen neighborhoods. Redevelopment also
• Some brownfields redevelopments can provide
Engaged communities build the social provides housing opportunities for those providing
opportunities for enhanced education. In Shelby,
capital to: local goods or services such as teachers, police
Montana, a Brownfields Cleanup grant will allow
• Reduce crime officers or nurses.
• Improve public health a former high school to be redeveloped as a
• Improve educational opportunities community center, giving residents a place for
• Residential development that is coupled with
• Promote prosperity and economic social interaction and education. The basement
growth17 public open spaces (e.g., parks, plazas) provides
of the building will also serve as a Head Start
an opportunity for residents to socialize and share
and alternative adult education facility to serve a
information and learn about their community.
wide range of educational needs. Those who are
Simple landscape and building improvements
educated and better informed are then able to
beautify a neighborhood, generate resident pride
contribute back to their community.
and make it a more attractive destination for
activity and entertainment.
Neighborhood Benefits • Decreasing blight and increasing social
connections can help improve community safety;
there are fewer abandoned buildings where crime
The redevelopment of a single brownfield property can take place and there is more monitoring by
may be what a community needs to revitalize an those who feel connected to and invested in their
entire neighborhood. Physical improvements to a neighborhood.
In Greensburg, Kansas, residents plan their redeveloped brownfield property can help redefine a
new green city after it was destroyed by a
tornado neighborhood and re-establish a sense of place. In
some cases, brownfields redevelopment can prompt Greensburg, Kansas: Linking Disaster Recovery
neighbors to improve their properties and create a and Sustainable Planning
positive ripple effect throughout community. Other The City of Greensburg, Kansas (population 1,500) and
neighborhood benefits include: Kiowa County were destroyed by a tornado in 2007. Since
this tragedy, the state and local government are rebuilding
a more sustainable future for the community. As the
• Providing market-rate and/or affordable housing community is being reconstructed as a LEED® Platinum
City, the entire neighborhood is being revitalized. Learning
is crucial to ensuring a stable, healthy and from this example, other communities are linking disaster
accessible community. Brownfields redevelopment recovery efforts with the need to create more sustainable
has been linked with increased rates of home communities, including several in Iowa and others in Texas
impacted by flooding, hurricanes and extreme weather
ownership, which has, in turn, been linked to an events.
increase in characteristics such as educational
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17. 2. Brownfields Reuse Creates Community Benefits
EPA Brownfields-funded agriculture
projects include:
Turning an underused property into a community The rising environmental movement in the 1960s
asset creates a range of health, environmental and and 1970s saw the beginnings of small localized • Bellow Falls, VT, Farmers Market
• Glens Falls, NY, Farmers Market
economic benefits. efforts to promote healthy, sustainable, locally grown
• New Britain, CT, Urban Farm
and organic foods. Many people rediscovered the • Sacramento, CA, Community Garden
This section of the report highlights four major environmental benefits of smaller sustainable farms, • Saginaw, MI, Farmers Market
brownfield reuse themes that provide widespread organic farming and local gardens. The recent energy
benefits to communities. These four categories are: crises also highlight the connection between food
agriculture and food system uses, arts and culture prices and fuel prices because of the fertilizers,
uses, housing and mixed uses, and community and pesticides, energy intensive farm equipment, and
civic uses. Case studies for each of these reuses food transportation system needed to support large-
illustrate many of the community benefits, and scale agriculture. Today’s agriculture and food system
examples of organizations or resources that can accounts for approximately 19 percent of all fossil
enhance brownfields cleanup and revitalization energy used in the United States.18
projects are also highlighted.
The growing awareness of sustainability and healthier
foods has piqued public interest and created a desire
Agriculture and Food to integrate food systems and agriculture back into
local communities. This interest is reflected in the
Farmers Market in Bellows Falls, Vermont
System Uses rising demand for land in urban areas to support local
food production, community supported agriculture
(CSA) and farmers markets. This movement to
Perhaps nothing connects us more to our local support and strengthen local farms and reintroduce
environment, the seasons and our community than food production into neighborhoods provides
the food we prepare and eat daily. Agriculture and increased demand for land near populated areas.
food systems have long played a dominant role in Brownfields redevelopment is a prime opportunity to
shaping our economy, job opportunities, energy use support agriculture and food systems because many
and where we live. brownfields are small parcels of land within urban
areas that can be used as community food or flower
The emergence of an industrial and manufacturing gardens, urban farms and farmers markets.
economy caused dramatic demographic shifts as jobs
were created in urban areas. During the post World The need for locally produced food may be
War II economic boom, the number of smaller farms particularly pressing in “food deserts,” where
declined greatly as large-scale industrial agricultural physical or economic barriers prevent access to
met an increasing demand to boost crop yields for healthy food.20 In these areas, there are often no
expanding domestic and export markets. full service grocery stores and few healthy food
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18. choices available to residents. Figure 4 tracks EPA Farming helped turn vacant land into gardens. After
Did you know? Brownfields, Superfund, Resources Conservation testing the soil to ensure there was no contamination,
• Food transportation costs add $113 and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Landfill Methane the Linwood and Gladstone Garden, one of the
billion to the cost of U.S. food. Outreach Program sites against food deserts in the largest community gardens in the city, was planted
• 120 million tons of carbon dioxide are
City of Baltimore that could be potentially used for and is maintained by local volunteers to provide free
emitted from transportation of U.S. food food production projects. Several EPA Brownfields vegetables to community members and local food
annually.19 grantees used grant monies to assess and clean up banks.
• Developing local food, including those properties for use as farmers markets or community There are countless additional examples throughout
on former brownfields, reduces the gardens. the country of reusing properties to grow and provide
environmental impacts from long
Across the country, there are many organizations better access for residents to acquire food locally.
distance transportation of food.
working to provide access to locally grown food. Another example, “Plant a Row for the Hungry,”22
In Detroit, Michigan, an organization called Urban is one of many efforts to enlist home gardeners in
growing additional vegetables for donation to the local
EPA-Tracked Sites Present Opportunities food bank.
to Address Food Deserts While not every property may be suitable for an
agricultural or food systems reuse, many small
I-83 urban parcels can serve as community food or flower
gardens, urban farms, farmers markets, and provide
additional environmental benefits. The following case
studies illustrate that brownfields can help improve
!
! the health of a community.
! !
!
! !
!
I-95
!
! Soil Sampling is Critical in Food Production Projects
! !
! ! !
!
All projects involving food production and gardening
895 should conduct Phase I environmental site assessments,
! ! soil sampling, and testing before planting. Tests for pH,
! organic content and key nutrients are needed as well
Food Deserts* ! as potential environmental contaminants. Alternatively,
Unpopulated Areas and Parks
! !
! urban and brownfield gardeners may wish to grow above
EPA-Tracked Sites
±
ground hydroponically or in greenhouses.
0 0.5 1 2 3 4
Major Highways
!
Miles It is important to ensure that soils are not only safe,
but adequate for growing. Soils can be reconditioned
for food production through the addition of organic
Figure 4: In Baltimore, Maryland, many EPA-
materials, leaf mulch, or food waste compost to increase
tracked sites are located in or nearby food deserts. water absorption for better stormwater management soil
Redeveloping these sites for a food production or biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.
sale may allieviate food desert conditions.21
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19. Case Study: Urban Oaks Organic Farm - New Britain, CT
Urban farm helps to create a safe, livable community “Shopping at Urban Oaks is a
social thing. Urban Oaks is like
The City of New Britain, Connecticut, a scene from decades ago, the
laid the foundation for transforming
one of its poorest, most dangerous customers know all the farmers,
neighborhoods by revitalizing a everyone greets each other, and
brownfield as an urban farm and the food is fresh and chemical
community garden. Urban Oaks
Organic Farm, one of the first urban free—besides, I like supporting
organic farms in the United States the local economy.”
and the largest urban organic farm in
the Northeast, was developed in the
violent crime-ridden North Oak Street
Local resident and
Neighborhood. patron of Urban Oaks
In 1997, an EPA Brownfields
Assessment grant and an EPA Cleanup
grant in 2003 provided the initial
financial backing to assess and clean
space, tools, seeds, water and visit a neighbor.” This multi-year
up the three-acre urban brownfield
technical assistance are all provided brownfields revitalization project
property. In addition to the EPA
at no cost to gardeners. These helped restore the fabric of the city
funding, the project used funds from
activities provide unique educational and improve local safety.
the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development, the Connecticut opportunities for underserved inner
Department of Economic and city residents to learn about farming
and gardening techniques. Benefits
Community Development, the City of • Cleaned up a three-acre
New Britain, and local foundations. New Britain Chief of Police and urban brownfield
The farm serves as a source of life-long resident, William Gagliardi,
employment for the local community— explained that, “prior to the cleanup • Provides walking access
many of the farm’s six full-time and and redevelopment of the urban to affordable, locally
ten part-time employees are residents brownfields located within the North grown organic produce
in the North Oak Street neighborhood. Oak Street neighborhood, violent
Additionally, each summer, Urban Oaks crime was at an all time high, the area • Provides hands-on
invites 10 local teenagers to participate had more gangs per capita then any agricultural training
in a 10-week, paid position that offers where else in U.S. Many long-time and education to local
hands-on organic and sustainable residents left the neighborhood— youth allowing them to
farming educational training. The farm while others stayed locked in their connect with the land
provides ongoing education for residents houses. Today, the gang problem
and school groups in organic gardening has been greatly reduced—violent • Catalyzed neighborhood
methods, sustainable agriculture, non- crime is approaching zero percent, redevelopment to
toxic farming techniques, composting, while overall crime has been reduced reduce crime rates
and other environmentally-friendly by 25 to 33 percent—which has
farming techniques. greatly changed the character of • Provides a safe
the neighborhood. Folk who left the community gathering
To put this knowledge to practical use, neighborhood are moving back and space that improves
Urban Oaks created a one-acre, 30-plot new people are moving in, residents social connectivity
neighborhood garden where gardening feel safe walking to Urban Oaks or to
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20. “It is one of the ironies of Case Study: Greensgrow Farm - Philadelphia, PA
An urban brownfield grows green
urban agricultural development
that these former industrial
Established in 1997, Greensgrow
sites, often called “brownfields” opened on a former industrial lot
are in fact some of the best in a Philadelphia, Pennyslvania,
choices for locating a new neighborhood, which is a mixed use
residential-commercial-industrial area.
urban agricultural business.” Greensgrow operates on the one-acre
brownfield site as a hydroponic garden,
www.greensgrow.org starting with growing lettuce for
restaurants. Greensgrow has blossomed
in the 12 years since its conception,
with the property now hosting raised
beds of organic soil filled with
numerous vegetable and herb plants,
a farm stand and a nursery. Shoppers
can pick up peppers, squash, figs,
eggplants, lettuce, tomatoes and many
kinds of herbs just to name a few. Local residents are able to walk to of gardening including composting
the garden to purchase fresh and lessons, bee-keeping, organic
In the 1980s, a former steel galvanizing locally grown produce and plants, gardening and green roofs. The staff’s
plant closed, leaving behind significant creating a true community feel in most recent endeavor was to start
soil contamination and health concerns a space which was once tainted by making biodiesel fuel out of old frying
in the community. In 1993, the EPA industrial uses. Greensgrow achieved oil retrieved from their local restaurant
Superfund program stepped in to their mission of connecting city customers during produce deliveries.
address the property. The building and residents with better food options
contaminated soils were removed from that are easily accessible and grown Benefits
Flowers for sale at Greensgrow Farm the property, leaving only the concrete locally. Greensgrow not only grows its • Cleaned up a one-acre
slab foundation. Greensgrow selected own vegetables and herbs onsite, but brownfield
hydroponic gardens help to protect also offers venues for the products
human health and the environment from other local growers. Additionally, • Provided access to
and preserve the concrete slab a nursery on the property offers a fresh, local, and
foundation site cap. Once the local wide range of plants and seedlings affordable produce and
Community Development Corporation and their beehives produce fresh plants to low-income
bought the property, they rented it to honey for consumers. While community
Greensgrow for $150 a month, a rent Greensgrow offers a wide selection
they still pay each month. This low of products onsite for community • Provided education
rent shows the commitment to provide members, some of the fresh, locally opportunities on
necessary beneficial services to the grown produce also is delivered to sustainable agriculture
surrounding low-income Kensington local Philadelphia restaurants.
community. Now with more than • Demonstrated
10 employees and volunteers at the As the garden has grown over the environmental
property, Greensgrow continues to reach years, so has its offerings onsite. stewardship in business
more people in the community, as well The staff offers special educational management practices
as the Philadelphia region. sessions to teach about many aspects
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21. Community Benefits of Improved Community Space
Agriculture and Food System Uses Gardens and farmers markets provide community Community or neighborhood gardens
gathering spaces and are local economic engines, have been shown to help reverse
Improved Access to Nutritious and Healthy Foods allowing residents to interact and enjoy their
Community gardens allow residents to grow fresh, local urban decline by:
neighborhood, while also helping support local
and often organic food, leading to a better diet and farmers and the local economy. Communities • Increasing occupancy rates
lifestyle that can improve public health and reduce interested in starting a farmers market may be • Increasing income
disease. Gardening can also increase physical activity, eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) • Decreasing poverty rates30
something of great need in a nation where nearly two grants to assist efforts. In addition, state legislation
thirds of urban residents do not have access to a local to support local agriculture has been proposed in a
park or open space for recreation.23 Lack of access to number of states to meet market demand. A county
nutritious and affordable food is a fundamental public in Iowa has enacted policies to rebate 100 percent of
health and quality of life issue that can be corrected real property taxes to farmers who convert to organic
through brownfield revitalization. production, and to support local and organic food
Increased Home and Property Values purchases in county institutional settings.
Research in Philadelphia concludes that community
Improved Access to Local Gardening
gardens and planting trees can increase or stabilize
and Food Production
the value of neighboring properties or rental income.24
Increasing seed sales and membership in gardening
This provides an additional economic incentive for
groups signal growing interest in agricultural
garden creation and tree planting reuses as well as
activities.26 Today, 71 percent of American
creating produce, flowers and greenspace. In St.
households engage in some type of lawn or gardening
Louis, Missouri, areas surrounding gardens experience
activity27 and there are an estimated five million Somerville, Massachusetts, used their
increased home values;25 even those who do not Brownfields Cleanup grant to help create a
organic gardeners.28 Web sites such as Sharing
directly use the property are benefiting from its community garden
Backyards link people with unused yard space to
effective reuse.
individuals looking for a place to grow food. More
Improved Retail and Small Business Opportunities information can be found at www.sharingbackyards.
In many urban areas across the county, and com.
particularly in low-income neighborhoods, many
Improved Opportunities to Meet Demand for
studies conclude that there is a lack of full-service
Organic Food
grocery stores with fresh food. Residents in these
Since the late 1990s, U.S. organic production has
neighborhoods are less likely to own a vehicle and
more than doubled, and organic food sales have
must rely on the food retail locations that are within
more than quintupled. More than two-thirds of U.S.
walking distance. Instead, residents often go to
consumers buy organic products at least occasionally,
convenience stores which tend to offer foods of lower
and 28 percent buy organic products weekly,
quality and lower nutritional value and often at higher
according to the Organic Trade Association. Organic
prices. Brownfields revitalization can play an important
products are now available in nearly 20,000 natural
role in providing viable locations for grocery stores or
food stores and nearly three quarters of conventional
small fresh food markets, filling urban market gaps.
grocery stores.29 More information can be found at
www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/organic/demand.htm.
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