Waste Site Cleanup & Reuse in New England
Getting Started: Evaluating Your Site for Redevelopment
How do you know if the property you've targeted can be successfully cleaned up and redeveloped? Are there certain criteria a property should meet to guarantee successful redevelopment? How do you know if the site you've chosen is even a brownfields property? There are several things to look for in evaluating a property before planning any on-site activity:
- Ownership status
- Size
- Transportation access
- Historical Districts or Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities
- Public benefit
- Cost
- Contamination
There is no magic formula to tell you what balance of these components will determine the success of your brownfields redevelopment efforts. However, if you have reviewed all of these factors and feel comfortable in your site choice, then you're ready to move forward!
Ownership status. Public property allows for easy access and the ability to transfer or sell once the site has been redeveloped. If you are evaluating a private property, be sure to establish a common understanding or agreement with the owner about your intentions. Issues such as access, repayment of public funding, and contribution to the eventual cleanup of the property should be addressed.
Size. Large properties are easy to split up and sell off in pieces once redeveloped. If you are working with smaller properties, look for lots that are adjacent or close enough to combine for an effective end use. Big or small, any property has potential for brownfields redevelopment. Large parcels can be split off and sold, while smaller properties may be combined with adjacent parcels.
Transportation access. Easy access to public transportation is often times a key factor in redevelopment success. The proximity of the property to major highways and the availability of sufficient parking, particularly if you are considering commercial redevelopment, are key concerns. Commercial or industrial projects will require a workforce that can get to the site conveniently via private or public transportation.
Historical districts or Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities. There are special funding opportunities available from some sources for redevelopment in historic districts or Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities (distressed communities that the federal government has targeted to receive technical resources to encourage private sector development, job growth, and entrepreneurship.) Special restrictions may exist on projects for historic properties, and these should be investigated before a reuse plan is developed.
Public benefit. Will the redevelopment of the designated site enhance the quality of life for the surrounding community? Will it generate tax revenue for the city or county? Is it part of a larger revitalization effort that can contribute to or can benefit from, the leveraging of financial or technical support?
Cost. Projected costs for assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment should be balanced against projected grants, loans, or in-kind financial support. Also be sure to factor in any benefit to the public, quality of life, and environmental impact factors.
Contamination. What is the nature of the contamination at this site? Has it been previously assessed or had potential environmental hazards removed? If the state or federal government has proposed further site investigation, or if there is concern regarding the level or nature of contamination at your target site, you may want to review the options for cleanup and redevelopment under the Superfund program.