The cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites of hazardous materials is a global concern that requires an integrated approach to mitigate the risks to human health and the environment. Many countries have committed extensive resources to the effort to address environmental, social and economic issues related to cleanup and redevelopment of these contaminated hazardous waste sites. The challenge is how to capitalize on the resources, expertise, …

Cool Million California State Treasurer Philip Angelides presented a check for $1 million to San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy as part of a new initiative sponsored by the treasurer. Dubbed California Recycle Underutilized Sites (Cal ReUSE), it is part of the treasurer’s “Double Bottom Line” investment strategy, which …

When I mention my specialization in brokering brownfield sites to other real estate professionals, they often respond with a look of disbelief. Why would I waste my time working with contaminated sites? And how do I find buyers for properties that often require extensive and costly redevelopment? …

The Karolina site, a former industrial area, lies in the center city of Ostrava, Czech Republic, just feet away from the city’s historic square. Its importance lies in the rarity of finding 150 acres of prime, undeveloped land in a prominent central city location—especially land that is available and suitable for development of local and regional importance. The size, location and potential use of the site …

If you’re going to build a business you need two things—understanding of what works and what doesn’t and a focus on customer service. Minnesota has approached its brownfield programs with those points in mind. The state has kept meticulous records on investment and results of redevelopment programs, which give the state a profound understanding of its programs, their effectiveness and their value. The state has also worked to simplify …

As more and more large brownfield redevelopment projects are completed, the fear of costly and time-consuming environmental cleanup on small parcels within those brownfield areas can discourage redevelopment. This is particularly true when remediation is complicated by groundwater contaminant plumes that cross the boundaries of several …

Mortgage Bankers Insurance Policy The Mortgage Bankers Association announced the formation of a task force on the use of environmental insurance for commercial real estate loans to provide standards for its members. The task force aims to educate association members on the types of environmental insurance policies prevalent in the commercial real estate industry. The …

Habitat for Brownfields Inspired by the redevelopment model created by the pilot partners in the Twin Cities, EPA headquarters has forged a partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. EPA Administrator Christie Whitman signed a memorandum of understanding with Habitat International to bring property-assessment capability to Habitat affiliates in San Francisco, Boston, Denver and Charlotte, N.C. Twin …

Well we're living here in Allentown And they're closing all the factories down Out in Bethlehem they're killing time Filling out forms Standing in line © Billy Joel Billy Joel’s anthem to factory workers who have lost their jobs in the steel mills of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania speaks …

Event: Citizen concern over the extent of uncontrolled and abandoned hazardous waste sites led Congress to establish the Superfund Program (CERCLA) in 1980 to locate, investigate, and clean up the nation’s worst sites. Action: Superfund forcibly brings environmental liability to the attention of the business community through retroactive, strict, and joint and several liability that requires “potentially responsible parties” to defend whether they were liable for the cost of cleanup. Connection: The …

Event: Minnesota adopts first Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup program (VIC). Action: Property owners can voluntarily enter their site into the state VIC program and through mutual negotiations agree to the level of cleanup that will be required for Minnesota to provide final cleanup approval. …

Of all of the potential end-uses for the site of the old Diamond Shamrock Painesville Works, a vineyard and winery are probably the least expected options. In fact, when we first proposed the concept, the thought behind the quizzical looks which were generated by our idea undoubtedly was – have you been drinking? Because of …

Philadelphia Brownfields Growing Greener The Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance (OPPCA) has issued a $50,000 grant to the Greensgrow Philadelphia Project for the purpose of turning brownfield sites within the city into small …

It’s Friday afternoon, the mayor’s chief of staff calls and asks you to prepare a report with specific facts and figures about how many brownfield properties have been cleaned to date, how many private sector dollars have been invested into redevelopment of brownfield properties in the city, how much in public sector funds has been invested, how many jobs were created and what has been the return on investment for …

Mention the name “Diamond Shamrock” to locals in the Cleveland area and you’re likely to get an immediate, negative reaction. People inevitably think about the company’s contentious past and the legacy it left behind when it ceased operations more than 25 years ago: a massive piece of prime lakefront property, permanently fenced off due to unquantified chemical contamination. Of course, as is often the case with brownfields, …

An economically feasible, sustainable funding mechanism For developers and communities alike, one of the biggest barriers to overcome when redeveloping brownfield property is the cost of environmental activities. The question often asked is “How do we fund these costs?” We have come a long way, where the particular project cost pro forma can support the environmental costs in obtaining willingness from the existing …