Environmental Strategist, between the lines: Brownfields are economic multipliers that offer great opportunities for insurance professionals. The report below will give you an overview of what has been accomplished by a few cities. Considering we have millions of Brownfield sites in our country and no matter where you live you have Brownfields in your marketing territory, Brownfields = Opportunity
New Report Shows Brownfield Redevelopment in Cities Leads to More Jobs, Increased Tax Revenue – 99 Cities Surveyed on the Merits of Recycling America`s Land
Source: The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)
November 9th
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) today unveiled a national brownfields report, entitled Recycling America’s Land: A National Report on Brownfields Redevelopment (1993 – 2010). This new report estimates the progress 99 cities have made over the past 17 years as it relates to the number of brownfields that have been redeveloped, acres of land reclaimed, new jobs that were created, and additional revenues that have been generated. The Conference of Mayors brought the issue of brownfields to the attention of Congress and the Administration back in 1993 and worked hand in hand with the Federal Government to establish a national brownfields program.
Brownfields, abandoned or underutilized properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by either real or perceived environmental contamination, present a major challenge to cities both large and small, primarily because of the lack of public and private sector resources that are necessary to redevelop these properties back into productive use.
This study is the ninth in a series of reports that have documented brownfields redevelopment by local communities throughout the United States and the potential revenue that could be generated. According to the study, fifty–four cities reported 161,880 new jobs created through the redevelopment of 2,118 sites with 64,730 jobs in the pre-development / remediation stage and 97,150 permanent jobs. Further, fifty cities said that since 1993, $309 million in additional local tax revenue was generated from 654 redeveloped brownfield sites. Significantly, 58 cities estimated if their brownfields were redeveloped, potential revenue could range from $872 million to $1.3 billion annually.
“Cleaning up and recycling land back into productive use while saving pristine greenfields must be seen as a priority for the nation. A good portion of our most valuable farmland is located in or around cities. Unfortunately, much of that farmland and other wilderness areas have been lost to development. Redeveloping brownfields can play a key role in easing development pressures, promoting sustainability, and preserving our ability to feed our nation and the world,” commented Ashley Swearengin, Fresno, CA Mayor, Chair, USCM Environmental Committee.
According to the report, the number of brownfield sites has decreased in many cities, which points to successful redevelopment projects. The vast majority of surveyed cities (84%) reported that they have been successful in redeveloping brownfields sites over the past 17 years. Out of the successful cities, 65 were able to redevelop 1,010 sites since 1993, which encompasses approximately 7,210 acres. Additionally, 70 cities report that 906 sites are currently being redeveloped, comprising 4,683 acres.
“As Co-Chair of the Conference of Mayors’ Brownfield Task Force since 1995, I am so pleased with the progress that local communities have made over the past two decades to redevelop brownfields throughout the nation. Mayors have worked hand in hand with EPA to develop a program that was later codified by Congress that promoted the redevelopment of brownfields in so many cities. Jobs have been created, tax revenues have been generated, and the environment has been improved. However, we still have thousands of additional properties that need to be cleaned up and redeveloped. We must not rest on our past work, but look to ensure that we have the necessary tools to continue our work to successfully redevelop these cities,” said J. Christian Bollwage, Elizabeth, NJ Mayor, Chair, USCM Brownfields Task Force.
Other highlights of the survey findings:
- In 1993, 67 cities estimated that they had a total of 11,824 browfields sites.
- In 2010, 75 cities estimated that they had a total of 29,624 brownfields sites; consuming 45,437 acres of land.
- In 1993, the time it took to redevelop a brownfield site was one year to indefinite; while in 2010, the timeframe was from 6 months to 12 years.
- The top four programs that were helpful to redeveloping brownfields in the surveyed cities are: EPA Assessment Funding, Private sector Investment, EPA Clean-Up Funds, and State programs such as the Voluntary Clean-Up programs.
“As a result of the mayors’ efforts, there are thousands of former brownfields sites in cities around the country that have been put to better use. And while we are proud of this accomplishment, there are hundreds of thousands of sites left that still need to be redeveloped. Mayors need more tools and resources from Congress, EPA and the private sector to recycle these properties and build greener, more sustainable, climate-friendly and economically prosperous cities,” stated Tom
Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director.
The USCM Brownfields Report, the complete list of surveyed cities and a Brownfields Best Practices Survey are all available on the Conference’s website: http://www.usmayors.org/brownfields/
documents/2010-report-brownfields.pdf and http://www.usmayors.org/brownfields/documents/
2010-bestpractices-brownfields.pdf