In logic, they call it a categorical syllogism. Consider this: No geese are felines. Some birds are geese. Clearly, “some birds are not felines” is the unequivocal conclusion of the syllogism.

With apologies to logicians everywhere, Brownfield Renewal magazine scared up its own syllogism in early 2009 when we acquired the former Brownfield News & Sustainable Development magazine.

Consider Fact #1: Brownfield practitioners deserve an ongoing opportunity to be kept abreast of and to recognize the performance-based excellence that drives their industry (notwithstanding the doling out of the Phoenix Awards).

Consider Fact #2: Brownfield Renewal is the only journal serving this industry that features “brownfield” in its nameplate.

Conclusion: Brownfield Renewal has an obligation—if not a burning desire—to award industry excellence and performance on an annual basis.

The result: The 2009 Brownfield Renewal Awards. The first-annual Brownfield Renewal awards were presented to four stellar projects in November at the Brownfields 2009 convention in New Orleans. The creation of Brownfield Renewal Awards was an idea that was just so logical it wasn’t funny. So, in the spring the Brownfield Renewal team mapped out a plan to establish a methodology to serve as the internal engine to launch a best-in-class awards competition.

As the award infrastructure was being developed, it made sense to establish categories across the three presumptive pillars by which ultimate success is measured: Economic, Environmental and Social success.

The process involved establishing a series of questions/discussion points that would yield the compelling responses from nomination sponsors needed to ultimately separate the wheat from the chaff. The process also required crafting a plan in which to take multiple nominations and systematically whittle them down to finalists.

The process meant identifying a reputable, objective and diversified “gold standard” lineup of judges—not only finding them but determining if they would be able to commit their precious time to thoroughly critiquing projects in which they were assigned.

As luck would have it, our industry is not only comprised of brilliant visionaries that encompass developers, environmental specialists, engineers, real estate experts, academics, architects, grad students, state brownfield directors, attorneys and more—but this industry consists of those who view their work not as a “job” but as a labor of love. As a result, going beyond a time threshold, while perhaps a hassle, was nonetheless amenable to the eight judges selected. (see Renewal Award feature story starting on Pg. 18.)

When the winning projects were selected in early October, the cream obviously had risen to the top as two of the four winners (the Social category produced co-winners) were also bestowed with EPA Phoenix Awards—adding credence and credibility to the Renewal Awards’ and the overall discernment of the judges. It also set a promising tone for the 2010 awards.

So, hail to the Renewal Award victors: City of Oklahoma City, Metropolitan Area Projects (Economic Impact); Mason Run and River Raisin National Battlefield Park (Social Impact) and Menomonee Valley Industrial Center (Environmental Impact).

In this expansive, densely-populated country of ours, it was a compelling coincidence (or maybe it was not) that the two Social Impact award winners hailed from modest-sized Monroe, Mich. As Todd Davis, CEO of Hemisphere Development in Cleveland as well as a judge and emcee of the awards ceremony, eloquently summarized: “There must be something in the water in Monroe, Mich.”

A reservoir of vision, competence, collaboration and patience were all part of the tapestry that represented the 2009 Renewal Award claimants. With the first annual competition in the bag, we’re eager to stoke the fire and stir up more excitement and debate for the 2010 Brownfield Renewal awards, which begins accepting nominations February 1.

If you think you have a top-flight project for nomination, logic says now’s the time to take the plunge.

All the best in business for the coming year!

Steve Dwyer
Managing Editor