Brownfields
definition
background
Superfund
location
issues
players involved
Schenectady history
brownfields in Schenectady
Brownfields Today
Environmental contamination can be very costly. Once it spreads to the soil and groundwater system, large machinery is necessary to remove the contaminated soil.
Groundwater and soil samples are taken from potentially contaminated sites to determine the concentration of contaminants. These samples are then analyzed in labs before estimating the costs to clean the brownfields.
After contaminated soil is colllected, it is placed in an incinerator which is usually located on site.
Brownfield redevelopment projects on sites such as the one above in Providence, RI not only help make the environment healthier, but also create prime land for construction.
This office building was created on a former brownfield site in Pennsylvania. It now employs 40 people and has added over $1 million to the tax base.
Petroleum and Asbestos are the most common contaminants found among brownfields. Other contaminants include lead, mercury, and dioxin.
Brownfield Redevelopment Projects
Case Study: Schenectady, NY
This page is designed to inform interested parties on the issues surrounding brownfield redevelopment projects. Schenectady, NY is examined to make the connection between brownfields and their roll in economic development.You will find information on the following:
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Background information on brownfields
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Importance of brownfields in economic development
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Issues facing brownfield redevelopment projects
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Players involved in brownfield projects
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How Schenectady could benefit from the clean-up of brownfields
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Federal bill offering aid to brownfields
What is a brownfield?
A brownfield is a potentially contaminated piece of property that is not being used. It may be abandoned or just lying vacant and is often a former industrial property. However, residential properties that are contaminated due to leaks in their heating oil tanks or other forms of contamination are also considered brownfields. The EPA defines brownfields as "abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination."
Background
Brownfield redevelopment projects clean up contaminated sites and make the formerlycontaminated areas available for commercial or residential use. By cleaning these brownfields up and using the land to redevelop the area to attract businesses, the goal is to create jobs as well as expand the tax base. In this way, some brownfield projects are used as key economic development policies in order to revitalize a local economy. These projects were implemented with the decline of the manufacturing industry in the US during the mid 1900's, primarily the eastern US. Brownfield clean up also contributes to the overall health of the environment by removing the contamination as well as preventing rural development by creating urban sites.
Superfund
It is important not to confuse brownfields with superfund sites. Superfund sites are often large tracts of land in which the contamination is so severe that it poses a health risk to the community and is extremely expensive to clean up. AN area is considered a superfund site if it is listed on the National Priority List. For more information on superfund sites, please refer to the following links:
Frequently Asked Questions about Superfund Sites
Where are brownfields located?
Brownfields are located all over the world including 500,000 locations throughout the US. They are primarily located in former industrial centers such as Schenectady, NY. However, some rural brownfields exist as well. It is important to note that not all brownfield sites are listed with the EPA due to various reasons including potential loss in property value. The sites that are listed with the EPA in the US can be seen by clicking on the following link: EPA Map of Brownfields in US (requires Adobe Acrobat to view)
What are the issues in brownfield redevelopment?
The most controversial issue in brownfield redevelopment projects is who is going to incur the clean-up costs. Environmental contamination is hard to estimate and often very expensive to remediate. The 500,000 brownfields in the US would cost approximately $725 billion to clean up! In addition, the future of the site after clean up is often unpredictable. Finally, it is difficult to evaluate the amount of output that one would get from a former brownfield in comparison to the amount of money that is put into the clean up of the site.
Who are the players involved in the redevelopment of brownfields?
The EPA is the most important player as it empowers communities, states, and other stakeholders to seriously consider brownfields redevelopment projects as their basis for creating growth in the economy. The EPA currently has a program called the "brownfield pilot assessment program." This program provides grants valued up to $350,000 over 2 years in order to perform site assessments and estimated clean-up costs. The program appears to be doing well as Cuyahoga County in Ohio received a grant through this program and has since raised $2.6 million in state funds and $3 million through private investors. These former brownfields in Cuyahoga County have created 141 jobs and generated $1 million in tax revenue.
Other players involved with the clean-up costs of brownfields include:
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polluters (often aren't around)
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owners of property
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private investors
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non-profit organizations
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local, state, and federal government
History of Schenectady, NY
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Industrial center in mid 1900's
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Home to General Electric headquarters and American Locomotive Company
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GE employed 40,000 people and ALCO employed 12,000 people
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Economy is booming Schenectady today
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GE transfers headquarters from Schenectady and all but 4,500 jobs
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ALCO is no longer around
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Many manufacturing firms moved overseas or to other locations in US
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Population's decreased 40% since mid 1900's
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Struggling economy with a per capita income of $17,000 compared to state average of $34,000
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Only one commercial site available in all of Schenectady County
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Virtually no ready-to-build land as two-thirds of its real estate is mountainous
More information on Schenectady's history
How brownfields can help revitalize Schenectady?
Schenectady received a $250,000 grant from the EPA pilot program to begin site assessments of 3 sites:
Former ALCO Maintenance Facility
Big N Retail Center and former IDA property
After the site assessments are conducted, it will be crucial for all players involved in the clean-up costs to form a coalition that will make these brownfield projects a success. Cuyahoga County is a perfect example of how these pilot program grants can really stimulate growth in a local economy by acting as a precursor for players to get involved with the clean up. Hopefully, these projects will be a part of the revitalization of Schenectady.
Brownfields today
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Number of brownfield sites continues to increase
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US Senate proposed a bill on March 8, 2001 that would help fund brownfield clean-ups
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Brownfield redevelopment projects becoming increasingly important as commercial space is limited
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Increased environmental awareness has led to more studies being completed on brownfields
Return to Government 367 web page
Web pages by other students in the class
This page was created by Chris Butsch for Goverment 367, State and Local Economic Development Policy, Department of Government, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, May 5, 2001.
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c_butsch@skidmore.edu