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."
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