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| Redevelopment Economics | |
Redevelopment Economics retained by the City of Rochester to analyze the feasibility of using tax increment financing as the primary gap-closer for three redevelopment projects
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This newsletter tracks congressional brownfields issues, emerging trends in brownfields redevelopment, and smart growth/urban redevelopment policy and research. Evans Paull, Executive Director of the National Brownfields Coalition and Principal of the consulting business Redevelopment Economics, is responsible for content. |
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| Advocacy Alert - Coalition Urges Congressional Appropriations for HUD BEDI Program
Congress is coming down to the wire on appropriations for FY 2011 and the HUD Brownfields Economic Development Program (BEDI) hangs in the balance. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that funds federal activities temporarily, but expires on December 3, 2010. The House budget for 2011 includes $17 million for BEDI, but the Senate followed the Administration's recommendation and "zeroed" the program.
The National Brownfields Coalition sent a letter to appropriators urging adoption of the House version. The Coalition's letter argues that there are several misconceptions about the Program. The Coalition maintains that BEDI does not duplicate the EPA Brownfields program because: 1) it funds site preparation (not just cleanup); 2) it can be used for cleanup/redevelopment of private sites; 3) the BEDI link to the larger HUD 108 loans allows localities to invest in more ambitious projects that have the potential to be transformative. The Coalition, as noted in this letter, also supports the Administration's requested increase for the EPA Brownfields Program. The members of the House and Senate Transportation-HUD Sub-Committees (for BEDI) and the Interior and Environment Sub-Committees (for EPA Brownfields) are posted here. Tell your representatives about how federal brownfields programs have made a difference in your communities.
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Redevelopment Economics Presenting on "Creative Financing for Brownfields Redevelopment" Webcast
Brownfields Community Network hosts webcast on Nov. 3, 2:00 PM Eastern
Evans Paull (Principal at Redevelopment Economics) will be presenting "Creative Financing and TIF for Brownfields Redevelopment - What is Working NOW" on a webcast sponsored by the Brownfields Community Network, an EPA-funded communication vehicle administered by the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals. The full panel also includes:
- Charlie Bartsch, EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - federal partnership incentives for brownfilelds and sustainable development
- Joe Summers, Principal, Urban Action Community Development (CDE) - New Markets Tax Credits
To register for this free webcast go to: http://www.nalgep.org/calendar/Index.cfm?Page=1&EventsID=8217
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| California Report Suggests Localities Credit Brownfields and Smart Growth Projects for Carbon Reduction |
The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) has prepared a report - "Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures - A Resource for Local Government to Assess Emission Reductions from Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures." The report recommends that local governments credit certain kinds of redevelopment projects as reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHG) by reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) relative to alternative growth patterns.
In California local governments and regional planning agencies are being required under California's SB 375 to alter development patterns in order to reduce GHGs. The report gives the highest Location Efficiency/GHG credits to "Urban" (downtown/CBD) projects, which can reduce VMTs and GHGs by up to 65 percent. "Infill projects" (including brownfields) can be credited with reducing VMTs and GHGs by up to 30 percent.
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Redevelopment Economics Estimates VMT and GHG Reduction for Westport Waterfront TOD/Brownfields Project
Redevelopment Economics recently completed an analysis of VMT and GHG reduction for the $1.4 billion Westort Waterfront TOD project in Baltimore.
Prepared as part of a TIGER grant application for infrastructure funding, the cost-benefit analysis projected that Westport residents would lower VMTs and GHGs by 40 to 45 percent relative to regional norms. This projected reduction is higher than the reduction normally attributed to in-fill/compact development (30 percent). The case for greater than average VMT/GHG reduction was made based on:
- Extensive review of national research related to mode splits, "internal capture," and VMT reduction for TOD and mixed use development;
- The high residential and employment densities of the planned project - at least six times suburban norms;
- Westport waterfront's superior access to hike-bike trails that connect to employment and activity centers;
- Research showing that residents of Baltimore City generate fewer VMTs and shorter trips relative to regional norms.
Westport Waterfront, just in the first phase, will create more than 4,000 jobs in 900,000 sq ft of office space, offer 796 residences (200 affordable), and 91,000 sq ft of retail space in a model green/sustainable and TOD-oriented community. Redevelopment Economics teamed with CWS Consulting on the project.
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| Connecticut Reforms Protect Officers in Public Agencies From Liability
Follows a Pennsylvania Reform also Protecting Officers
Connecticut passed HB 5436 which expands the scope of state brownfields financing mechanisms to also include liability insurance for officers in public agencies that are addressing contaminated property. Last month, this newsletter reported that Pennsylvania had passed the most comprehensive liability protections for public agencies in the country through their 2009 Senate Bill 84. Under the bill officers, directors, agents, members, and employees of public agencies are given liability protections that encompass toxic tort, common law and third party protections. |
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Brownfields and Renewable Energy in the News
Re-Powering America Plan - EPA issued a draft RE-Powering America's Land Initiative Management Plan. The plan "describes activities EPA can take to build upon the progress that the initiative has achieved since its launch in September of 2008." The plan outlines steps EPA is considering in order to lower barriers and encourage reuse of contaminated sites for renewable energy. Some specific projects that have recently moved forward include: - CHP Brownfields Project - Baltimore's planned Combined Heat and Power/waste-to-energy project overcomes a key regulatory hurdle. The redevelopment of the 90-acre former FMC site has the potential to create an eco-industrial park.
- Brownfields and Wind Power - why the Lackawanna success story has not been widely replicated - see "Tainted Land Not Natural Stage for Wind Power Projects."
- Solar for Manufacturers' Energy - A South Jersey manufacturer is converting a 21-acre brownfield into a 5-megawatt solar farm - Johnson Matthey Inc., a manufacturer of specialty chemicals, has signed an agreement with a subsidiary of Constellation Energy Group Inc. to develop the project which will provide 20 percent of the company's energy needs. See this article.
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Milwaukee Lures Train Manufacturer to Brownfields Site
Success Prompts Glowing Review of City's Brownfields Program
The City of Milwaukee has successfully lured Spanish train manufacturer Talgo Inc. to the former Tower Automotive plant, a brownfield site acquired by the City on Milwaukee's north side. The project will create 125 jobs. See this article.
While a $35 million incentive package may have sealed the deal, the real lure was a commitment of ARRA funds for high speed rail in the region. The Stimulus funding included $810 million for a Milwaukee to Madison high speed train line, as well as other improvements and planning dollars for future lines.
The brownfields success story prompted a glowing review of Milwaukee's brownfields program in the local media - see "Turning Brown to Green." Redeveloped Milwaukee brownfields now accommodate more than 2,000 jobs. |
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Washington State Publishes Brownfields Guide
Washington State produced a "Guide to Leveraging Brownfields Redevelopment for Community Revitalization." This guide "provides critical information for local government agencies and nongovernmental organizations interested in building community capacity to promote informed decision-making and actions to clean up and redevelop these brownfield sites. Transitioning these properties from liabilities to community assets is a complex undertaking requiring well-thought-out strategies that recognize risk, cost, and opportunity." |
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Philadelphia to Host National Brownfields Conference
 A partnership between the U.S. EPA and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has developed the National Brownfields Conference into the premier international forum focused on redeveloping America's brownfield properties and promoting environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. Now in its fourteenth year, Brownfields 2011 will be held April 3-5, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and offers free online registration that is open at www.brownfields2011.org.
Over 6,000 experts and practitioners are expected to attend. The conference will include more than 100 educational sessions, including panel sessions, discussion-based roundtables, town hall meetings, debates, film screenings, poster presentations, and a large exhibit hall. In addition, the event will showcase several sites in the Greater Philadelphia area through mobile workshops, a boat tour, and a bicycle tour.
A highlight of this year's conference will be the Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Forum. This unique event that was first introduced in 2004 opens the door to economic and environmental advancement by bringing together buyers and sellers of brownfields properties nationwide. |
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Evans Paull
Executive Director, National Brownfields Coalition, and Principal, Redevelopment Economics
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