Posted on 10-6-2003

Money, Jobs in Brownfields

DENVER, Colorado, June 9, 2003 (ENS) - Many cities across the United States are facing tight budgets due to state spending cuts, rising security costs and a weak national economy, but the U.S. Conference of Mayors believes contaminated vacant lots and industrial sites could help ease their financial woes.

A new survey released today by the organization finds that redeveloping these sites, known as "brownfields," could generate more than 575,000 new jobs and $1.9 billion annually in new tax revenue for the nation's cities. "Redeveloping brownfields holds tremendous economic potential for our cities and our nation," said Boston Mayor and Conference President Thomas Menino. The survey finds 205 cities with some 25,000 brownfield sites awaiting development, and of these 148 cities reported that 576,373 new jobs and as much as $1.9 billion annually could be generated if their sites were redeveloped.

Brownfields sites are carefully screened for contamination before an appropriate reuse plan is established. In residential areas, citizens help make the decisions for their neighborhoods. The EPA reports that so far the agency's brownfields assistance has leveraged more than $4.6 billion in private investment through 645 grants and has helped create more than 20,000 jobs and has resulted in the assessment of more than 4,000 properties. Redevelopment of brownfield sites is not just good for the economy - there is evidence it can help ease the pressures of urban sprawl. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that every acre of reclaimed brownfields saves 4.5 acres of green space.

Environmentalists are keen on the idea, given the oversight is sufficient and appropriate. "The tension lies in that we do want to redevelop these sites - there are a lot of really good reasons to do this - but the first priority must be public health," said Julie Wolk, environmental health advocate for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. But there is clearly a huge demand for the limited dollars at the EPA's discretion - the General Accounting Office estimates there are close to half a million brownfield sites throughout the country. "Brownfield redevelopment is a key component of revitalizing many of the nation's urban neighborhoods," said Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, who co-chairs the Conference's Brownfields Task Force. "Turning these properties around and making them productive makes city neighborhoods better places to live, work, and play."

"Brownfields redevelopment is a win-win for everyone involved," said Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory, who chairs the Conference's Environment Committee. "It is pro-environment, pro-business, pro-neighborhood, and pro-smart growth."