This is the third in a series of articles debunking common brownfield myths.

This site of a former aluminum plant was revitalized with the help of Atlantic Richfield and the Wildlife Habitat Council.

Myth #4:
Brownfield properties do not exist in small towns or rural areas.
Reality: Brownfields are not defined by location. Thus, any village, township, small city, or rural area may be host to a brownfield property. Brownfields are defined as abandoned or underutilized properties where redevelopment or expansion may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. The old corner gas station, former machine shop or auto repair business in a small town or rural community could be a brownfield.

For example, the former Alsco Anaconda property in the Village of Gnadenhutten, Ohio, housed an industry that produced various aluminum products. Wastewater and sludge from the aluminum manufacturing operation was disposed of on the site, contaminating the property with mercury, cyanide, cadmium, arsenic, zinc, and lead.

Atlantic Richfield (a BP-affiliated company), the volunteer and landowner, worked closely with the village to come up with a plan that would ensure brownfield redevelopment success for the entire site. Working with the Wildlife Habitat Council, Atlantic Richfield and the Village of Gnadenhutten agreed that the best use for the now clean land would be the development of a wildlife observation and education area. In addition, ARCO cleaned up the remaining portion of the manufacturing facility under the state’s Voluntary Action Program and was issued a Covenant Not To Sue. A manufacturing company purchased the facility soon after, bringing jobs and tax revenue to Gnadenhutten. (For more information on this project, refer to the April 2007 issue of Brownfield News.)

Myth #5:
Brownfields are not in nice locations for redevelopment.
Reality: During Ohio’s industrial growth period, many manufacturing plants were located based on the availability of surface water and groundwater. These locations provided process water needed for manufacturing and facilitated the direct discharge of wastewater. As manufacturing plants shut down, these waterside properties became underutilized. For many municipalities, these sites present the best locations for assuring economic growth of an area. But because they have now become non-productive, often unsightly industrial brownfields, they may not be considered nice locations for redevelopment.

The reality is that by using the landscape as a tool to define the riverfront/lakefront and public spaces associated with it, carefully planned redevelopment of these former industrial sites can once again promote economic growth and provide an appealing aesthetic. Reasons for this include easy access and connectivity to the water for pedestrians and for recreational opportunities. These sites can provide a contemporary feel by complementing the waterways with small open spaces and courtyards with various plant species and terraced greens, and by implementing “green” parking for sustainability and aesthetics. With the advantage of existing infrastructure and a new makeover, these old run-down sites can once again become best locations.

This series is presented by the N BAs' Ohio Chapter Technical Subcommittee.