Getting requite approvals for brownfield-related initiatives, including transportation-oriented developments (TODs), endures far less resistance when an economy is growing, prospering. In a tough economy, when the rubber hit the road, there's far more mobilization and hard work required by all parties involved. …

PROPERTY SIZE: 22-mile transit loop circling Atlanta's urban core. Covers 6,500 acres or 8% of the city's land area. PROJECT TEAM: Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.; Beltline Partnership; Atlanta Development Authority; City of Atlanta; PATH Foundation; Trust for Public Land; MARTA; EPA; EPD …

LOCATION: Charleston, S.C. SIZE : 141 acres BACKGROUND: Cherokee Investment Partners' project in North Charleston, S.C., known as Macalloy, is an EPA Superfund Site. The former steel plant fronts Shipyard Creek and is situated in an industrial and commercial section of the Charleston Peninsula. The site of the former Macalloy Corp. ferrochromium plant was one of the nation's most polluted industrial areas. Ferrochromium alloy, a hard stainless steel, was manufactured at the site from 1941 to 1998. During operations, the plant produced chromium, arsenic, lead, mercury and zinc contaminates and accumulated more than 6,000 violations of the Clean Water Act over the years. …

They say the best students are the ones who are driven. At Ohio State University, this hypothesis could be taken both literally and figuratively. Unleashing a high level of technological excellence that could potentially catalyze the automotive industry to embrace a "greener future," The Ohio State University earned top honors this past summer at the 2009 finals of the EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge competition in Toronto, Canada. OSU's team of "eco …

LOCATION: Moss Point, Miss. SIZE: 1 acre PARTNERS: City of Moss Point and Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality COST: $3 million for Convention Center, $60,000 to address environmental issues BACKGROUND: In 2007, the city of Moss Point requested assistance from MDEQ through its Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program to perform an environmental assessment of the former Swifty Serve gas station to evaluate the environmental conditions. Environmental assessments were conducted by contractors …

With the first session of the 111th Congress just about over—a session that grappled with significant issues unrelated to brownfields—members now prepare to head home for the holidays. But the first session set the tone for policy and spending decisions for 2010 that could significantly impact a range of brownfield efforts. Brownfield program reauthorization By early October, members and committees in both House and …

How paradigms shift. As recently as 10 years ago, abandoned buildings and closed industrial plants were simply bulldozed to the ground and taken to a municipal landfill. This method of clearing a property for reuse was prevalent from the late 1970s, and was “just the way things were done.” In most cases the equipment was auctioned, columns and piping were scrapped, but little else. The …

Source: energy.gov Spent beer yeast, invaluable grass clippings and already-processed vegetable oil from a local restaurant. They all appear to be useless compounds. But guess again. Never has the term "one man's waste is another man's treasure" been more applicable than with what's taking shape in the renewable energy camp, for the purpose of powering vehicles. Namely, planes, trains, buses and automobiles. That beer you're enjoying: it's …

LOCATION: 1337 South Park Avenue, 229 Elk Street and 85 Lee Street in Buffalo. PROPOSED USE: Light industrial use. The project will allow for public access to significant riverfront green space; provide potential for new jobs and tax revenues; offer a catalyst for other redevelopment initiatives in the broader Elk Street Corridor and South Buffalo Brownfield Opportunity Area. SITE BACKGROUND: For over 100 years the Buffalo Color Facility was involved …

LOCATION: Niagara Falls, Ontario PROPOSED USE: New sports complex will house four NHL-sized ice surfaces, including one 2,000 seat arena, and will replace several older recreation centers around the community. When completed, Niagara Falls will have the most up-to-date, modern facility in the region, as the center will be used by over 53 user groups in the city. This new building will be more energy-efficient and cost-effective for the city. …