&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
      Petroleum Brownfields:
      Selecting A Reuse Option
Printed on Recycled Paper

-------
Foreword
           The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Underground
           Storage Tanks (OUST), in partnership with the EPA Office of Brownfields
           and Land Revitalization (OBLR) and local, state, tribal, federal, and other
           stakeholders, released the Petroleum Brownfields Action Plan: Promoting
           Revitalization And Sustainability (Action Plan) in October 2008 (www.epa.
           gov/oust/rags/petrobfactionplan.pdf). The Action Plan was developed to
           improve stakeholder communications; expand technical assistance to states,
           tribes, and local governments; explore potential policy changes; and build
           upon existing successes by expanding partnerships to address petroleum-
           contaminated properties. Since the release of the Action Plan, EPA developed
           Petroleum Brownfields: Developing Inventories (www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/
           pbfdevelopinventories.pdf) and expanded and updated the EPA OUST Web
           site (www.epa.gov/oust/petroleumbrownfields) to better assist stakeholders.
           Now EPA,  with the support and input of experienced stakeholders, has
           developed this new  redevelopment tool, Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A
           Reuse Option, which is a catalogue of reuse ideas for petroleum-contaminated
           properties.

           This catalogue was  developed to assist state, tribal, and local public officials,
           communities, developers, and nonprofit organizations in envisioning the
           wide array of reuse  options they have for petroleum-contaminated properties.
           It presents examples of successful reuse projects, identifies best practices,
           and describes what  is possible, the benefits of reuse, and general lessons
           learned in each case. The catalogue was  created by compiling information
           from a variety of successful redevelopment projects from across the country.
           It presents case studies for commercial, public, residential, greenspace, and
           mixed-use reuse options. The extent and  diversity of these successful projects
           provide a wealth of information to  inspire and guide others in transforming
           petroleum  brownfields into vibrant community assets.
                                                U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                                       Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
                                                 Office of Underground Storage Tanks
                                                            Washington, D.C. 20460
                                                            Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
              Contents
                        Introduction	1





                        Starting Redevelopment In Your Community	2





                        Types Of Redevelopment	4





                              Commercial	5





                              Public	9





                              Residential	13





                              Greenspace	17





                              Mixed-use	21





                        Successful Redevelopment Approaches	25





                        Moving Forward	28
Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Introduction
                                                                    The removal of an underground storage tank
Communities across the country have learned to leverage
the unique characteristics of brownfield properties
contaminated with petroleum—such as former gas
stations, auto body shops, industrial facilities, and
commercial and residential properties—and convert these
abandoned or blighted properties into beneficial new uses.
Many of these characteristics, including property size,
location, and prior use, give petroleum brownfields special
appeal and flexibility.

One common feature among many petroleum brownfields is size: a majority of these
properties are former gas stations occupying relatively small parcels of land and are
typically distributed throughout communities, along major roadways, or at intersections in
neighborhoods. Small properties can be used for neighborhood amenities,  including pocket
parks (small urban parks frequently created on a single parcel), restaurants, senior housing,
community centers, and much more. Properties can also be combined with other parcels, or
assembled, to enable larger projects. Additionally, petroleum brownfields are often close to
community resources and services. Redeveloping these properties will eliminate blight and
create valuable spaces in which a community may live, work, or play.

This catalogue provides examples of reuse and identifies strategies and tools that
communities have found  helpful in cleaning up and reusing petroleum brownfields. In the
Types Of Redevelopment section, five reuse categories are outlined: commercial, public,
residential, greenspace, and mixed-use. Case studies for each of these categories illustrate
key components of redevelopment. Most case studies are brief and are intended primarily to
introduce a new reuse option, but several are longer and include more details that users may
find useful. In general, most of these redevelopment projects achieved success by:

   •   Developing a strong vision for reuse;

   •   Engaging the community to explore a property's reuse potential;

   •   Understanding and applying available financial and technical assistance resources; and

   •   Building strong partnerships among the project team, community members, and
      regulatory agencies throughout the entire life of the project.

In addition to these components, several trends proved  useful in helping communities reduce
costs, increase the value of properties, and be better stewards of the environment. These
included:

   •   Assembling several small properties or appending a small petroleum property to a
      larger, neighboring parcel;

   •   Incorporating sustainable design into the redevelopment project; and

   •   Considering an interim reuse for a property while planning for its permanent or long-
      term reuse.
              A former service garage redeveloped
                   into a car dealership
                             Petroleum brownfield projects can benefit from a strong vision
                             of the intended reuse. To ensure that the property reuse is
                             consistent with environmental and cleanup requirements,
                             communities are encouraged to work with their local,
                             state, tribal, and federal regulatory partners. Outreach and
                             collaboration can  build  support for a project and provide an
                             avenue for ideas that can lead to  new insights or designs that
                             best suit local conditions.
                                                              Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
                Starting  Redevelopment  In Your
                Community
                          Petroleum brownfields present excellent redevelopment opportunities. The following themes
                          are part of the redevelopment process and are highlighted in several of the case studies
                          that are presented in the Types Of Redevelopment section. Each petroleum brownfield
                          redevelopment project is unique and so may address these themes differently.
                                              Abandoned gas station on tribal land in Santa Domingo, New Mexico
                          Identifying Properties

                          A list of petroleum brownfield properties, or an inventory, is an excellent place to begin
                          evaluating petroleum-contaminated properties for cleanup and reuse. EPA's Petroleum
                          Brownfields: Developing Inventories (www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/pbfdevelopinventories.pdf)
                          provides a comprehensive look at how to develop an inventory of sites, which may include
                          vacant properties potentially impacted by petroleum contamination. Several states and local
                          governments have begun compiling brownfields inventories; for more information regarding
                          existing inventories in your community or state, interested parties can contact their state
                          response program to obtain petroleum brownfields property information.

                          Planning Preliminary Reuse Options

                          While petroleum brownfields may present challenges to redevelopment, they also can create
                          opportunities. Careful planning and attention is needed when planning for a property's
                          redevelopment. It is essential to make certain that the reuse vision meets the requirements of
                          state and local  regulatory programs. Individual property considerations such as parcel size,
                          shape, and environmental conditions also need to be taken into account when determining the
                          best reuse option.


                          Working With Partners

                          Partners are an invaluable component of redevelopment projects. Partners such as local,
                          state, and tribal government agencies, business owners, community groups, and developers
                          can help identify redevelopment opportunities to meet a community need or fill a private
                          market niche. Opportunities to engage a variety of partners include: project planning and
Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
     Community celebration at the dedication of the
         Fruitvale Home and Family project
outreach, neighborhood association meetings or newsletters, discussions with community
leaders and community development corporations, interviews with residents and business
owners of surrounding properties identified during an inventory process, or other mechanisms.


Involving The Community

                                        Community support is a critical factor and an
                                        ongoing process in the  success of a project.
                                        Getting the community  engaged and excited in
                                        the planning process can help build momentum
                                        for the reuse and expand the network of investors,
                                        such as businesses looking to relocate or expand.
                                        In addition, discussions with community members
                                        can reveal historical or  past use information about
                                        the property that can help guide the cleanup and
                                        redevelopment. An understanding of community
concerns can lead to design options that make the reuse more consistent with community
needs, whether those are job creation, housing, commercial services, or public use.

Considering Redevelopment Early

Addressing redevelopment at the start of
the process and considering reuse during
the cleanup plan can be beneficial to the
success of the project. It is important to
work with state regulators early in the
planning process to ensure that required
cleanup levels will be achieved for the
desired reuse. Understanding these
goals will help address any problems
in the planning phase and will  allow for
changes before the project is underway.
For example,  incorporating a vapor barrier and venting system as part of a building design and
construction adds little to the overall development cost; however, recognizing the problem and
installing such systems after construction is completed can be much more expensive.

Also, creative planning for a project can allow for interim uses for a property before it arrives
at its permanent reuse. If a redevelopment cannot occur immediately—either due to time
required for land assembly, financing,  or other reasons—an interim use may be appropriate.
This could be the leasing of a building for storage or commercial use or the development of the
land as a park or parking lot. Often these interim developments provide an important service
to the community and may not be recognized as interim until a more beneficial use is identified
and completed. For example, community groups might see vacant lots as opportunities for
recreational sports fields as an interim use before long-term reuse plans are developed.
                                             The City of Flagstaff, Arizona, is finding ways to utilize abandoned
                                                  gas stations for interim use throughout the city
Understanding Financing
   Community members help construct a community gateway
      wildflower garden and rock wall as an interim use
                                          It is important to budget for assessment,
                                          cleanup, and redevelopment costs and to
                                          review a comprehensive list of available
                                          financing options. This will help determine the
                                          most advantageous combination of incentives.
                                          Taking into account eligibility requirements
                                          and the timing of public funds is essential to
                                          a project's success. For instance, some grant
                                          programs require that a municipality own the
                                          property in order to be eligible for financing.
Determining all cost categories will show which funding sources make sense, when they can
be used in the project, and what reporting and documentation will be required.

Each petroleum brownfield project requires a different redevelopment blueprint. Each
community and property is unique, and even properties in one community may be at different
stages in the redevelopment process. Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option aims
to encourage community discussion, professional planning, and sound decision making while
considering viable reuse options for petroleum brownfields.
                                                    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
                 Types  Of Redevelopment
                                                                            An abandoned gas station along Route 66 provides
                                                                               an opportunity for future redevelopment
Petroleum brownfields constitute a
significant part of the larger brownfields
universe. Communities throughout the
country are beginning to share their
successes and approaches to assessing,
cleaning up, and reusing these properties.
While redevelopment costs and potential
uses vary significantly based on property
size and the local real estate market,
properties can be redeveloped regardless of
their location.

A broad range of redevelopment options have been successful at petroleum brownfield
properties. Properties have been reused as parks,  retail shops, small businesses, schools,
firehouses, condominiums, community gardens, and even as alternative fueling stations.
                                       When talking to communities about their
                                       petroleum brownfield redevelopment projects,
                                       it is clear that they are not deterred  by the
                                       type of contamination, the size of the property,
                                       the location of the property, or the local real
                                       estate market. These petroleum brownfield
                                       stakeholders see blight in their community as a
                                       real opportunity to change the landscape. While
                                       these factors help identify the best reuse, none of
                                       them  need to be considered barriers to success.
                                  To protect human health and the environment,
                                 a stormwater collection system was developed at
                                  McMinnville, Oregon, abandoned asphalt plant
                            This catalogue presents five categories of reuse: commercial, public, residential, greenspace,
                            and mixed-use. These categories recognize the main types of redevelopment that have been
                            successful on cleaned up petroleum brownfields across the nation.

                            The remainder of this section focuses on each of the reuse categories. The discussion of each
                            category includes important factors to consider, key components and lessons from similar
                            petroleum brownfield reuse projects, and a summary of the benefits associated with the reuse
                            category. Case studies aim to help petroleum brownfields stakeholders understand the variety
                            of redevelopment options within a category. Each category contains several shorter additional
                            project examples to illustrate the variety of projects possible. Redevelopment potential can
                            be limited by specific property or regional characteristics, but focusing on the needs  of the
                            community, being creative, and being motivated are what made the projects presented
                            successful.
                                Five Redevelopment Options - Category Definitions

                                Commercial - Property used for retail shops, offices, restaurants, and other
                                businesses. This use of properties generates economic revenue for business and tax
                                revenue and jobs for the community.

                                Public - Property used by a local, state, or tribal government agency or a non-profit
                                group to serve citizen needs. This can include libraries and schools, government
                                offices,  public infrastructure, or other services for the general public.

                                Residential - Property used for residential purposes such as single-family homes,
                                townhouses, condominiums, and apartments.

                                Greenspace - Property used for sports facilities and fields, community parks, walking
                                trails, open space, and other leisure activities and land conservation efforts.

                                Mixed-use - Property used for  multiple purposes. For example, a building with retail
                                shops on the ground floor and condominiums on the upper floors.
Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Commercial
Service And Employment Opportunities For Your Community - Commercial Reuse Options
   Examples Of
   Commercial
   Reuse Include:
     Pharmacy

     Restaurant or
     coffee shop

     Shopping center

     Supermarket

     Office building

     Light
     manufacturing
     business
During the second half of the last century, many
city centers and small-town downtown areas
experienced a decline in population and core
manufacturing activities. As populations shifted,
downtown economic centers slipped into decline,
and businesses, including gas stations, closed or
relocated to undeveloped land along the interstate
highways. The net result of this movement left
neighborhoods in cities' central business districts
without services such as banks, retail facilities,
and grocery stores. For the people remaining in
these areas, petroleum brownfields represent an
opportunity to regain some of these critical services.
A former service station in Wood River, Nebraska, was
   redeveloped into a branch of Heritage Bank
Across the country, petroleum-contaminated properties are being cleaned up and reused for
large and small businesses to accommodate the trend of populations moving back to city centers.
Communities are developing  plans and strategies for the commercial redevelopment of petroleum
brownfields to benefit the entire community by providing services and employment opportunities.
Small businesses might find an old gas station property a perfect fit for a new bank, pharmacy,
or restaurant. In addition, larger commercial and retail redevelopment opportunities can occur on
larger petroleum brownfield properties or through the assembly of several smaller properties.
                  Westminster, Colorado - Commercial Building

     Westminster was settled by pioneers in the mid-19th century, thanks to the nearby discovery of gold, and evolved into
     an agricultural-based community. Since that time, Westminster's rich heritage led to the establishment of the Harris
     Park Historic District. Located within this district is the Neighborhood Building, a project viewed as the catalyst for
     future revitalization in the area.

     The Neighborhood Building property was formerly used as a bowling alley, an ice cream shop, and then as an
     automotive service station from the 1950s until the early 1980s. Leaking underground storage tanks forced city
     officials to remediate a plume of petroleum contamination  under the property. The property was assessed using
     EPA Brownfields Assessment funding, and cleanup was financed and conducted through the Colorado Division of
     Oil and Public Safety under the state Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Program. Remediation includes
     soil excavation as well as soil remediation that will be completed one to three years after the completion date of
     the redevelopment.
                                                                                                Continued..
                         Former automotive service property was redeveloped into commercial/office space in Westminster, Colorado
                                                                             Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    5

-------
     Prior to initiating redevelopment activities, a market study was conducted to determine the needs of the community.
     The market study indicated that a commercial building would help to revitalize the historic downtown area.
     Redevelopment activities were integrated with the cleanup and resulted in the opening of the 12,000-square-foot
     commercial Neighborhood Building in the summer of 2008.

     The Neighborhood Building includes retail space on the first floor and office space on the second floor. Current
     tenants include the Colorado Rural Housing Development Corporation, a cafe, a massage therapist, a hair salon,
     and a real estate office. The entire project includes the assembly of three properties and offers a small courtyard
     area and seating areas for adjacent businesses and future adjacent residences. The redevelopment project
     spurred the development of 12 townhouses that are currently under construction.
        Key Components And Lessons Learned:

        •   A market study to determine the most beneficial and feasible reuse was helpful to guide the
            redevelopment.

        •   The assembly of three parcels allowed more room for the redevelopment of a larger commercial
            building.

        •   The project was a gateway to redevelopment of the historic area of Westminster.
             New biofuels station in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon - Alternative Fueling Station

                                          Located along McVay Highway in the City of Eugene, a 0.6-acre
                                          former gas station was unused and an eyesore and hazard to
                                          the community due to contaminated soil and groundwater. The
                                          successful cleanup of the property resulted in the sustainable
                                          redevelopment of an alternative fueling station. Completed in
                                          August 2006, it is the first station of its kind in the country. The
                                          station sells SeQuential biofuels (including ethanol and biodiesel
                                          blends) and features photovoltaic panels above the pump stations
                                          that provide as much as half the station's electricity needs. The
                                          convenience store has an "eco-roof" with soil and thousands of
plants that help keep the store warm in the winter and cool during the summer. The property also features storm
water retention "bioswales" in which plants filter rainwater before it runs off the site.


Albertville, Alabama - Retail Small Business

The City of Albertville, the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management, EPA,  and developers
worked to turn the site of a former convenience
store, gas station, and tractor sales business into
a newWalgreens store. The commercial reuse
demonstrates the viability of redevelopment
opportunities in this small  bedroom community
outside of Huntsville.


Kansas City, Missouri - Commercial Corridors

                                          In Kansas City, the city used  EPA funding to develop a
                                         comprehensive inventory of petroleum brownfields along the
                                          Prospect andTroost commercial corridors. The city identified more
                                         than 250 petroleum brownfield properties within the targeted
                                          redevelopment areas. Using the inventory, the city was able to
                                         focus redevelopment efforts at prime locations. The successful
                                          redevelopment of former filling stations and garages provides hope
                                         to residents of depressed neighborhoods along Prospect and Troost
                                         avenues. For example, along Southwest Boulevard, now referred
                                         to as Restaurant Row, former gas stations have found new lives
                                         as  restaurants that have bolstered economic development and job
                                         creation in the community.
                                                           A Walgreens was redeveloped on a former petroleum brownfields property
       A former petroleum brownfields property was redeveloped into
       the Coffee Break along Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri
Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
  More than $1 million in assessment and cleanup funding from the
California Orphan Site Cleanup Account was used at Village at Century
                               Inglewood, California -

                  Commercial  Corridor And Retail  Center

                                                                   The Village at Century project in
                                                                   Inglewood assembled 16 acres of
                                                                   blighted and vacant properties into
                                                                   a 193,000-square-foot commercial
                                                                   development—the first of a two-
                                                                   phase, 51-acre redevelopment
                                                                   project to revitalize the Darby-Dixon
                                                                   neighborhood.

The Century Boulevard corridor serves as one of the major transportation corridors to Los Angeles International
Airport. From 1950 to the early 1990s, the area was a high-density residential development; however, due to
the increase in noise pollution from the airport and lack of local investment, the area became rundown and
underutilized. The Inglewood City Council adopted the Century Redevelopment Project Area to eradicate blight
and address issues related to lack of investment, dilapidated housing stock, high crime rates, and needed
traffic and circulation improvements around the Century Corridor. One of the primary project goals was to work
in partnership with residents, the business community,  public agencies, and community organizations in the
revitalization of the project area. A number of public meetings were held to hear the collective concerns and
recommendations of the community. In a collaborative effort, the Inglewood Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles
World Airports, and the Federal Aviation Administration worked together with the community to improve conditions
along Century Boulevard.

An assessment of the project area discovered that a portion of the property's soil was contaminated with high
levels of volatile hydrocarbons from leaking underground storage tanks on several properties. The installation of
a remediation system substantially reduced the contamination in the soil to levels below those established by the
California Regional Water Quality Board.

The California Orphan Site Cleanup Account (OSCA) program's funding—more than $1 million in assessment
and cleanup grants toward the $32 million project—influenced national retailers to contribute to and support the
redevelopment project. The Village at Century includes eight major retail spaces as well as a number of smaller
shops. It is estimated that the retail center area creates approximately 500 full- and part-time jobs and generates
over $600,000 of tax income to the city annually.
                                 *                                                           Continued..
                         The Village at Century commercial redevelopment
                                                              Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    7

-------
     The Village at Century has dramatically improved the character of the area and continues to encourage new
     investment. The project resulted from the partnership of local, regional, and federal government entities and
     private developers. Perhaps most importantly, it displayed the ability of Inglewood citizens and their partners to
     create job opportunities, offer residents greater shopping diversity, reduce the overall crime rate, and enhance the
     economic viability and quality of life for those who live and/or work in Inglewood.
         Key Components And Lessons Learned:

         •   A dedication to outreach by the city council helped to ensure community support for the project.

         •   It is estimated that the retail center will create approximately 500 full- and part-time jobs and is
            expected to generate over $600,000 of tax income to the city annually.

         •   The OSCA program's funding influenced national retailers to commit to the project.

         •   There are numerous benefits of public and private partnerships. They can promote the coordination
            of regulatory programs, the streamlining of administrative procedures, and a multi-stakeholder
            examination of cleanup solutions and risk sharing.
     Reno-Sparks, Nevada - Tribal Commercial Development
             Removal of petroleum-contaminated soil in Reno-Sparks, Nevada
The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) applied for
a loan through the Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection (NDEP) in order to address petroleum
contamination on a 22-acre former industrial
property. In November 2007, the NDEP loaned
$950,000 from its EPA Revolving Loan Fund
grant to the RSIC to address petroleum and lead
contamination at the property. Cleanup included the
removal of about 1,000 tons of contaminated soil
and allowed RSIC to pursue a risk-based closure
through NDEP. The property will be redeveloped into
Three Nations Plaza, the future home of a Wal-
Mart Super Center. It is expected to generate much
needed jobs and revenue for the community. The
project is  estimated to produce about $5-6 million  in
tax revenue a year, which will be used to repay the
bonds for a new Tribal Health  Center, fund a new
restitution center, and enhance essential government
services such as public safety, education, human
services, and community development.
     Summary  Of The Benefits  Of Commercial

     Redevelopment
     Commercial redevelopment projects are often the economic engines for a neighborhood or community. The reuse
     of former petroleum brownfields for retail and commercial businesses employs workers, increases the tax base
     for the community, and expands redevelopment to neighboring portions of the community that are in need of
     environmental and economic revival.

     An abandoned property impacted by petroleum often has traits that can make it an excellent location for a
     small business. These traits include relatively small size properties that easily accommodate small businesses;
     prominent locations, often a corner lot on a busy thoroughfare; and existing infrastructure. In addition, state, local,
     and tribal governments have created incentives to foster the cleanup and reuse of these properties, including tax
     or other financial incentives. Retail and commercial redevelopment on former petroleum brownfields can create a
     positive economic impact on historic downtown areas, enabling cities to position themselves to take full advantage
     of future opportunities as redevelopment efforts expand to other portions of the community.
Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Public
Serving Your Community - Public Reuse Options
  Examples Of Public Reuse
  Include:

  - College campus buildings

  - Intermodal train station

  - Municipal buildings

  - Firehouse

  - School

  - Health clinic

  - Parking lots for state office buildings

  - Library

  - Public amphitheater

  - Community center

  - Nonprofit organization

  - City-county government services
    complex
                                                                  In Ogallala, Nebraska, a former gas station was redeveloped
                                                                         into the Spruce Street Visitors Center
Across the country, petroleum
brownfields are being redeveloped
for community or public reuse. The
resources provided by community or
public reuse often boost the quality
of life for local citizens. In some
instances, these reuses can become
the cornerstone for a downtown
redevelopment effort.  In other cases,
the reuse might supplement additional
community and public services
already established. Whatever the
circumstances, reusing a petroleum brownfield property for a community or public
use can transform the property, eliminate blight, and provide needed services
to a community. Such  projects help local governments create a sustainable and
responsible approach to addressing property revitalization.

Redevelopment can include the creation of schools and youth centers to encourage
education and physical activity; community centers that encourage citizen
interaction; health clinics to increase accessibility to affordable health care; and
public offices or facilities such as firehouses, police stations, or locations for motor
pools—all ways to provide public services to the community. In addition to the
restoration of blighted, idle land and the removal of contamination, residents gain
improved access to services, new jobs, and local economic engines that leverage
additional improvements and enhance the quality of life.
       Greenville, South Carolina  -  Community Center And School

                                            In Greenville, residents know about the old corner intersection. This
                                            area is  located close to the central business district and historically
                                            housed numerous gas stations in proximity to each other. While
                                            all six properties remained as single parcels for reuse, the City of
                                            Greenville  recognized the value of ensuring these properties were
                                            available for redevelopment. Identifying all the parcels as available for
                                            reuse helped the city plan for the area comprehensively. Additionally,
                                            the city realized cost savings by creating a project that required one
                                            assessment and cleanup instead of doing multiple parcels individually.
                                                                                                  Continued..
  The A.J. Whittenburg Elementary School
under construction in Greenville, South Carolina
                                              The Reedy Place residential units
                                                                              Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
            The city developed a master plan for its downtown area that included the old corner intersection. The City Master
            Plan called for high-density residential development and helped inspire Reedy Place, the first redevelopment
            project in the area with multiple affordable housing units.

            During redevelopment planning, the Salvation Army identified a parcel in the redevelopment area for the future site
            of a community center. As part of a $1.6 billion gift to the Salvation Army in 2003, Kroc Community Centers are to
            be developed coast-to-coast where each local facility is accessible and visible to various economic groups, with
            particular outreach to underserved families. The Kroc Center Foundation provided $52 million to the Greenville
            Salvation Army for the development of a future Kroc Community Center. Recognizing the benefit of the downtown
            location, the Greenville Salvation Army bought one of the former gas station properties for this purpose. The
            community raised $15 million in matching funds, and the Kroc Center development is underway. Redevelopment is
            scheduled to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011.

            Reedy Place and the Kroc Community Center have  already leveraged additional redevelopment in downtown
            Greenville. During the planning process, the Greenville school district was looking for a parcel of land to use for the
            development of a new elementary school. When the Greenville Salvation Army offered to sell a portion of its parcel
            to locate the elementary school next to the new Kroc Community Center, the school district finalized its plans. The
            A.J. Whittenburg Elementary School is now under construction, marking the first elementary school to be built
            downtown in 30 years. The addition of the new elementary school creates an enhanced learning environment and
            improves access to educational facilities for an underserved population.

            The new public buildings in the downtown serve as  an anchor development project that will help initiate more
            redevelopment in the area. Often, it is difficult to be the first redevelopment project, but reuse ventures such as the
            community center will help draw more projects into the area to both serve and benefit from the citizens utilizing the
            new facilities.
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:

                •   By identifying and assessing multiple properties at the same time, the city saved money and was
                    able to develop a comprehensive redevelopment Master Plan for the downtown area.

                •   Attracting a well known organization as a cornerstone of redevelopment helped catalyze other
                    redevelopment projects.

                •   The redevelopment project creates an enhanced learning environment  and improves access to
                    educational facilities for an underserved population.
            Belmont, New Hampshire - Commuter Parking Lot
                                                              The former Gulf gas station property in Belmont is
                                                              located on NH Route 106, a busy commuter route. The
                                                              one-acre former gas station operated from approximately
                                                              1965 until the mid-1980s. During cleanup, four gasoline
                                                              tanks were removed. Belmont collaborated with the
                                                              New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT)
                                                              and the Lakes Region Planning  Commission to reuse
                                                              the property as a RideShare parking lot for commuters
                                                            1  sharing car rides. RideShare is a free commuter service
            provided by DOT, which is dedicated to finding alternative ways for commuters to travel to and from work. The
            location of the Belmont RideShare also provides ample parking for visitors to the adjacent Belmont Town Forest.

            Clearwater, Florida - Health  Clinic
            In one of Clearwater's poorest neighborhoods, EPA Brownfields Assessment
            grant funding was used to assess a former petroleum brownfield property.
            The project utilized $200,000 in state funding to remove underground
            storage tanks and clean up petroleum-contaminated soil. As part of the
            city's environmental justice plan, representatives of the North Greenwood
            community voted unanimously for the city to lease the property to the
            Greenwood Community Health Resource Center (now the Willa Carson
            Health Resource Center). The reuse met a critical need for access to a new
            health facility in the community and offers immunizations,  physicals, tests and
            screenings, flu shots, and counseling to  neighborhood residents.
The Willa Carson Health Resource Center
 open for business in Clearwater, Florida

10    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
The abandoned asphalt plant in McMinnville, Oregon
      McMinnville,  Oregon -  Sustainable Elementary School

                                              In McMinnville a former two-acre asphalt plant, which
                                              operated for more than 40 years on the edge of town,
                                              received a complete makeover. The plant was abandoned
                                              in the mid-1990s, leaving behind a petroleum-contaminated
                                              property with little to offer the community. After years of lying
                                              vacant, Yamill County acquired the property through tax
                                              foreclosure in 2003. By 2007, the property was cleaned up
                                              and several underground storage tanks and drums had been
                                              removed.

The adjacent 12-acre property was planned and already under
design to host the new Sue Buel Elementary School, a replacement
for the 79-year old elementary school in town. The community
lobbied to develop a green building that would showcase several
energy efficient elements. Specific features include ample windows
and skylights to maximize exposure to daylight, dual flush toilets,
dimmer switches and energy efficient lighting systems, rooftop solar
panels, and a heat recovery system. These features decrease energy
use by 30 percent. The former two-acre asphalt plant property was
incorporated into the adjacent 12-acre school property to provide
more area for the design plans. Because of environmental concerns
associated with the  former asphalt plant, the school redevelopment planned to use the two-acre property as a
landscaped parking lot as well as a storm water retention pond. Each of these features improved the sustainable
features associated with the redevelopment and helped the school qualify for the U.S. Green Building Council's
Leadership  in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDfGold certification. The school opened in 2008 and hosts
more than 600 students.
                                                                                            Continued...
                                                                 The cleanup and removal of several
                                                                   underground storage tanks
                          The LEED-certified Sue Buel Elementary School in McMinnville, Oregon
                                                                  Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    11

-------
           The redevelopment of this petroleum brownfield provides for an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, long
           lasting, and safe public resource for the local community. Conserving resources and lessening the environmental
           impact of the building improves the learning atmosphere for students and the quality of life for the surrounding
           community.
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:

                •  Sustainable design ensured that the redevelopment was environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient,
                   long-lasting, and safe for the local community.

                •  Assembling properties provided additional space for development of needed school grounds and
                   facilities.

                •  Attention to the environmental restrictions during design can result in protection of human health. In
                   this case, the petroleum brownfield was reused for parking and storm water retention instead of a
                   building location.
           Prineville, Oregon - City Hall And Community Plaza
               Redevelopment occurring at the Prineville
               City Hall and Community Plaza propert
The City of Prineville, a rural town of 9,000, faced the challenge of revitalizing
its downtown after a decade of population growth. The city identified a critical
need for additional building space to accommodate services including
administration, planning and community development, police and emergency
dispatch, and family services. The city used an EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant
to address soil and groundwater petroleum contamination at a 0.25-acre former
gas station property and to further minimize the migration of vapors. This parcel
was developed in conjunction with adjacent properties, and more than 2,700
tons of petroleum-impacted soil were excavated. Cleanup was completed in
June 2004, and the new City Hall and Community Plaza, which can host 500
visitors for concerts, speeches, and community events, opened in July 2005.
           Summary Of The Benefits Of Public Redevelopment
           Some of the most sensitive reuses for any type of brownfield include health facilities and schools—places where
           communities and children spend a lot of time that could create additional exposure. Stringent cleanup levels for
           petroleum brownfields protect residents from any former or residual contamination on the properties. Public reuse
           can provide new health care options for those in the community who might previously have had few available. In
           addition to health facilities and schools, local, state, tribal, and federal governments can also contribute to the reuse
           of petroleum brownfield properties. Old abandoned gas stations are often excellent locations for new government
           facilities such as firehouses, police stations, community centers, and libraries. These facilities can serve as an
           anchor and catalyst for area redevelopment and community pride.

           Communities across the country have demonstrated that under the right circumstances, cleanup levels, and
           guidance, petroleum brownfields can be put back into productive reuse to benefit the community. Stakeholders that
           reuse petroleum brownfields for a public use encourage  others not to limit the possibilities for reuse of a property.
           With thorough investigation, characterization, cleanup, and funding, there can be multiple reuse possibilities. If a
           community has public service needs, it pays to consider all aspects of the redevelopment project and investigate
           any property that might fit those needs.
12    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Residential
Sheltering Your Community - Residential Reuse Options
  Examples Of Residential
  Reuse Include:
  - Apartments
  - Condominiums
  - Lofts
  - Townhouses
  - Multi-family housing
  - Single-family housing
  - Affordable housing
  - Special needs housing
  - Senior housing
                      Reuse of petroleum brownfields can also
                      include housing or residential options. Ensuring
                      that the reuse for the property is protective of
                      human health is especially important when
                      evaluating a property for residential reuse. It
                      may be the case that environmental conditions
                      on the property make cleaning for residential
                      reuse prohibitively expensive or that the
                      environmental conditions require specific
                      redevelopment restrictions or controls on
                      the property. For instance, depending on the
                      contamination source and cleanup standards, a
                      property might not support the development of a building that includes a basement due to
                      potential vapor intrusion issues. However, the property might still be suitable for residential
                      reuse, assuming all units are above  ground.
Former gas station in Redwood City, California
Residential reuse often creates an opportunity to improve several aspects of a community. First, community leaders may want
to determine if a residential reuse will adhere to specific zoning regulations within the community. If residential reuse is an
option, the reuse can revitalize a downtown area, provide housing options for those that require proximity to specific amenities,
improve the tax base for the community, and develop a neighborhood in a former commercial area. In addition, providing
housing in a downtown area or near existing job centers can help to reduce household transportation costs and improve
access to employment opportunities.


                      Arlington,  Virginia  - Apartment Building

                                      For people in and around the Washington, DC area, Arlington, Virginia, has
                                      become a residential and commercial destination. As the population in the
                                      Washington metropolitan area increased, so did the need for residential
                                      units that were convenient for commuting. In the late 1990s, Arlington began
                                      to experience significant revitalization as a result of the growing economic
                                      market. The 1.5-acre Clarendon Triangle site remained one of the only vacant
                                      pieces of property available in 2000.

Petroleum brownfields property in
 downtown Arlington, Virginia
     The parcel of land included several independent properties that historically hosted gas stations, a car wash, an
     automobile dealership, and an office building. At least four properties were assembled to form the Clarendon
     Triangle site. Because of a zoning requirement to offer commercial services  on the ground level for all multi-unit
     residential development in Arlington County, a determination was made to redevelop the property as a planned
     community that would offer up to 257 residential units and approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space.
                                                                                                 Continued...
                                     The new 257-residential unit Clarendon Triangle apartment complex
                                                                              Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option     13

-------
            The redevelopment process was driven by the market conditions in and around Arlington. The Clarendon Triangle
            site was overlooked for years because of concerns about environmental contamination; however, the prime
            location and partnership with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) attracted the developer.
            Because of coordination among VA DEQ, the property owner, the environmental consultants, and the lending
            institution, the property was cleaned up to safe, residential levels that met the needs of the project.  Despite
            identifying additional areas of petroleum contamination during redevelopment activities, the project  stayed on
            schedule. All contamination was removed, which allowed for subsurface structures on the property.  The property
            was completed in fall 2003, bringing additional residents to the Clarendon neighborhood.
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:
                •  Project partners allowed the market to be the driver for the project's reuse.

                •  Cleanup requirements need to be evaluated for the final reuse—contamination can be revisited once
                   a reuse option is selected.

                •  The assembly of four parcels allowed the developer to meet the needs of a large project.
            Swanton, Vermont - Residential Duplex

                                             This 0.9-acre property operated as a gasoline and service station until the
                                             early 1960s, after which the owner converted it to a duplex rental unit. The
                                             property changed hands several times but continued to operate as a residential
                                             rental until 2003. The existing structure was demolished and research about
                                             the property uncovered its former use as a service station and a lack of
                                             records indicating whether the property's fuel storage tanks had been removed.
                                             To resolve these contamination uncertainties, a series of assessments
            funded by the Northwest Regional Planning Commission's EPA Brownfields Assessment grants confirmed that
            only minor levels of petroleum contaminants were present at the property. These assessments also indicated that the
            contaminants were not migrating and that no underground storage tanks from the former gas station were present.
            Habitat for Humanity purchased the property in 2006 and leveraged more than $83,000 in donations and in-kind
            services to build a residential duplex on the property. These homes are now occupied by two families.
Fully occupied Habitat for Humanity homes on
   the former gas and service station
            Salt Lake City, Utah - Apartment Complex

            Located in a largely commercial and light industrial area of Salt Lake
            City, this 2.57-acre property was once a tiling company, auto and lumber
            operation, and more recently, a wholesale produce company. EPA
            Brownfields Assessment grants were used to help define the extent of
            contamination from a 4,000-gallon underground storage tank discovered
            during preliminary construction activities: contamination included elevated
            levels of petroleum in the property's soil and groundwater. Cleanup was
            completed by March 2005 and included removal of the underground
            storage tank, excavation of contaminated soils, and remediation of the property's groundwater. A $5.4 million loan
            from U.S.  Bank funded the construction of an 84-unit, mixed-income apartment complex on the property. The
            Jefferson  School Apartments include affordable one- and two-bedroom units, a courtyard, a pool, and an exercise
            room. The apartments are conveniently accessible to the light-rail transit line, downtown, and the University of
            Utah, providing maximum benefit to working and student residents.
                                                                        Jefferson School Apartment complex in
                                                                              Salt Lake City Utah
            Chicago, Illinois - Low-Income Housing

                                             From the 1960s through the mid-1990s, a property on West Washington Street
                                             in Chicago was home to a gas station and auto repair shop. The city determined
                                             that the property was a detriment and a threat to public health. The property
                                             was cleaned up to remove barriers to redevelopment. The city demolished a
                                             12,000-square-foot building on the property and removed eight underground
                                             storage tanks. The city detected a petroleum release during the removal of
                                             the tanks and conducted tests on the soil that confirmed the presence of
            petroleum. The city then completed the site assessment, preliminary cleanup activity, and excavation and removal of
            contaminated soil. After cleanup activities were complete, a local developer built low-income housing on the property.
    Redevelopment site of low-income
      housing in Chicago, Illinois
14    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
    The cleanup and redevelopment of a former
petroleum-contaminated property in Emeryville, California
              Emeryville, California - Sustainable  Housing

                       j*-»~-                    i-l  In the San Francisco Bay Area, housing is in high
                                                     demand. This is certainly true in the City of Emeryville,
                                                     whose population has more than doubled since
                                                     1980 and which is located almost directly across
                                                     the bay from San Francisco. City officials typically
                                                     let the market determine the best redevelopment
                                                     use for most brownfield properties. In the case of a
                                                     petroleum brownfield that was formerly used for paint
                                                     manufacturing, the community wanted environmentally-
                                                     sustainable housing.

This site, which straddles the border of Emeryville and Oakland, previously consisted of three properties that were
combined to form a one-acre parcel. Site investigation activities concluded that the soil and groundwater were
contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, including free-floating product. With a strong track record of effectively
implementing EPA Brownfields grants, the City of Emeryville used $1.175 million in EPA Brownfields  Revolving
Loan funds to clean up the property. Additional cleanup and redevelopment funding was provided in the form of
private equity and construction loans.

Planning for redevelopment began in 2001, at which time the developer learned that Emeryville and Oakland
encouraged the sustainable reuse of properties. Although the project predated the  U.S. Green Building Council's
LEED®for Homes certification program, a team was formed to ensure the completion of environmentally-
sustainable housing. The team included representatives from both cities as well as an  architecture firm that was
one of the first in  the area to work on green infill housing.
                                                                                               Continued...
                    Green City Lofts completed on a former petroleum brownfields property
                                                                Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    15

-------
            Following the completion of cleanup in December 2004, the property was redeveloped into Green City Lofts.
            There are 62 residential units, six of which are affordable housing units. The building incorporated green building
            technologies, including components like storm water runoff collection for landscape irrigation, Forest Stewardship
            Council-certified wood for all interior doors, and paints without volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The project's
            green elements create a pleasant and environmentally-friendly residential complex.
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:

                •   Projects that straddle city boundaries can be completed, particularly if the communities or cities
                   involved have similar goals.

                •   The demand for environmentally-sustainable housing determined the reuse of the property.

                •   Green buildings and sustainable development yield human health and environmental benefits to the
                   local community.
           Houston, Texas - Affordable Artist Lofts

                                                      The former 1.6-acre Jefferson Davis Hospital property was
                                                      used as a park in the 1920s, until the city built its first hospital
                                                      for indigent care on it in 1924. After the hospital closed, the
                                                      building had a variety of uses before being abandoned. In 2002,
                                                      Jefferson Davis Artist Lofts (JDAL) purchased the property from
                                                      the county for redevelopment. As part of the acquisition process,
                                                      an environmental assessment revealed an underground storage
                                                      tank that once contained gasoline used to fuel ambulances.
                                                      The use of EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant funds to address
                                                      and clean up the property helped JDAL leverage funding from
                                                      diverse entities motivated by different aspects of the project,
                                                      such as the need for affordable housing, support for the arts, and
           historical preservation. As a result, a new affordable loft-style apartment building opened in October 2005 and
           was fully leased by November. One unique feature of the apartment building is a "green" or vegetative roof system
           that conserves energy. The redevelopment also complements the revitalization of numerous historic buildings in
           Houston's central business district.
Petroleum cleanup at the old hospital paved the way for the
renovation of the old building into affordable apartment lofts
            Summary Of The Benefits Of Residential

            Redevelopment
            Citizens need to have a high level of confidence in the cleanup and redevelopment of petroleum brownfields when
            they will be calling them home. With many petroleum brownfields on corner lots along main streets or along high-
            density corridors, residential reuse is a growing option—especially when residents relocate to downtown areas.
            The proximity of these properties to other public amenities makes them attractive for residential reuse. While
            the size of the properties can limit redevelopment, assembling properties into a larger redevelopment project
            can provide adequate space for residential reuse. The extent, type, and cleanup of contamination can preclude
            certain aspects of new structures built on the property. For example, the former petroleum contamination at these
            properties may limit the building of sub-surface structures (for example, parking garage, basement) in order to
            reduce exposure. However, successful residential development can still be achieved. Other considerations include
            proper zoning requirements and conducting community outreach to better ensure safety and the protection of
            public health.
16    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Greenspace
Greening Your Community - Greenspace Reuse Options
   Examples Of Greenspace
   Reuse Include:
   - City parks
   - Promenades and walking trails
   - Community gardens
   - Outdoor theater
   - Nature trails
                                  Petroleum-contaminated properties are being cleaned up and reused in ways
                                  that both enhance the environment and enrich community living. Redevelopment
                                  can include greenspace that provides public spaces for leisure activities or land
                                  conservation efforts. These spaces can also encourage recreation, reduce the
                                  effects of urban heat islands, and improve storm water management—all ways
                                  to improve public health. A cleaned up petroleum brownfield can result in cleaner
                                  rivers and harbors while providing recreational facilities for the local community.
                                  Greenspace or open space reuse also can facilitate land conservation when
                                  development is set aside to protect and preserve land.
                                     Recreational park space in many downtown areas is limited and does not always
                                     meet the needs of the local community. In an effort to address this problem,
                                     neighborhood and city residents are redeveloping smaller petroleum brownfield
                                     properties into city parks, community gardens, and other outdoor recreation areas.
                                     These parks are spurring additional investment and community improvements. Cities
                                     and towns are taking advantage of their waterfront amenities by turning petroleum
                                     brownfields, often larger tank farms that were located by rivers for transportation
                                     purposes, into waterfront recreational areas or promenades for the enjoyment
of the community or as tourist destinations. Waterfront redevelopment also increases access to the water for recreational
uses and educational opportunities, such as programs by Living Classrooms Foundation (www.livingclassrooms.org) and the
National Maritime Heritage Foundation (www.nmhf.org). These programs use environmental and maritime resources as learning
laboratories to create stronger communities that exercise environmental stewardship.
- Riverfront and water access
- Educational facility
- Convention center
- Playground
- Basketball courts
                         Seymour, Wisconsin -  Memorial  Park

     A former service garage and gas station located in the heart of downtown Seymour was redeveloped into Veterans
     Memorial Park. The former petroleum brownfield had six leaking underground storage tanks and was abandoned
     for approximately 10 years. The responsible party was financially unable to clean up the property so the city
     acquired the property through tax delinquency. The city held community meetings to determine the most beneficial
     redevelopment option for the property—which was a community park and greenspace.                continued
                                    The redeveloped Veterans Memorial Park in Seymour, Wisconsin
                                                                            Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option
                                                                                                             17

-------
            The city then obtained a local government liability exemption, which protected the city from future liability. The city
            also went through the site closure process with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to ensure
            that the remediation and redevelopment would progress in the correct and most efficient manner. The city was
            able to perform Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments at the property and also conduct a full site
            investigation with funding from a DNR Brownfields Site Assessment grant.

            In addition to the local government liability exemption, the city also received a general liability clarification
            letter from DNR's Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program. The city utilized funds from the Wisconsin
            Department of Commerce's Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Awards (PECFA) Program to clean up the
            remaining leaking underground storage tank contamination. The grant was used to excavate and properly dispose
            of 525 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil, remove the six underground storage tanks, demolish buildings, and
            remove asbestos. Throughout the project, RR Program staff assisted with project plans and reports, oversaw
            remediation activities, and approved the site closure.

            The park has attracted residents  back to the downtown area by providing a space for the community to enjoy in
            the heart of town. Through working with the community and the state environmental agency, the City of Seymour
            reused a brownfield to serve as a place of remembrance, beauty, and recreation.
               Key Components And  Lessons Learned:
               •   The most beneficial redevelopment option was determined by the community's need for a public space.
                   It is easier to gain community support when the project meets community needs.

               •   The property now provides the community with a place of remembrance, beauty, and recreation.
            Oshkosh, Wisconsin - Riverfront Amphitheater
             Aerial view of the Riverfront Amphitheater in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
On an eight-acre former manufactured gas plant facility, the
City of Oshkosh seized an opportunity to design an inviting
greenspace for recreation and entertainment that would draw
residents and visitors to the downtown. Site cleanup activities
included the removal of several underground storage tanks and
the removal of petroleum-contaminated soils. More than 23,500
tons of material were treated and reused on the property. The city
purchased the property from the former owner, Wisconsin Public
Service, in December 2003 in order to develop the riverfront
walkway and amphitheater. The facility also includes concession
buildings, landscaping, and parking for the property.
            Norwich, Connecticut - Community Park

            Located along the Shetucket River, the five-
            acre property was formerly utilized by the City
            Textile Corporation for a textile finishing business.
            The mill complex was destroyed in 1986 by a
            fire, leaving only the foundation and a concrete
            building on the property. Cleanup included
            addressing and capping petroleum-contaminated
            soil. The city recognized the need for additional
            park space in order to meet the needs of local
            residents. Completed in June 2005, the new
            riverfront park offers a large, multi-use field in
            the center of a walking track, a basketball court,
            picnic tables, and a playground. The design
            also includes bench seating convenient to the
            riverfront and river  access for small  boats and
            canoes.
              The former mill complex was cleaned up and transformed into a
                      community park and river access
18    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
                 Jackson,  South Carolina - Roadside Park

                                 The Town of Jackson, located in Aiken County, has a population of
                                 1,625. Campbell's Service Center was located on a corner parcel along
                                 Main Street for years but by 1995 was abandoned because of known
                                 environmental concerns, including five underground storage tanks. Because
                                 of these environmental issues, the mayor of Jackson requested support
  An abandoned petroleum-contaminated property  I  f rom the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
   along Main Street in Jackson, South Carolina     (SCDHEC).

The Town of Jackson, Aiken County, and SCDHEC partnered
to identify property concerns, which included soil and
groundwater contamination, underground storage tanks,
property ownership, tax liens, and an abandoned building.
The partners then identified resources available to address
each of these challenges. Assessment and cleanup activities
were conducted with support from partners as well as the local
community. During a public meeting, residents recognized
the need for a park where cyclists from nearby Augusta,
Georgia, could stop and take a break. The park would be in the
downtown area of Jackson, allowing the community to utilize
the space. Through a cooperative effort, the Jackson Roadside
Park opened in September 2007 and includes a gazebo, brick
patio on the former building foundation, and park benches.         The ribbon-culling ceremony at the new community park and gazebo
                                                                                            Continued..
                                           The new park and gazebo
                                                                         Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    19

-------
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:
                •  Having a local champion for the project was a key component in driving the project forward.

                •  Identify concerns, partnerships, and resources early in the planning and development process.

                •  Existing structures, in this case the building foundation slab, can be reused in new ways to reduce
                   construction debris and costs.
           Wilmington, Delaware - Downtown Park
                Wilimington, Delaware, achieved three redevelopment goals with
                      the completion of the downtown greenspace
The Hi-Tech gas station in downtown Wilmington sat
abandoned since 1995. In 2001, city economic development
officials evinced interest in reusing the property. Once the
underground storage tanks were removed and the soil
contamination was cleaned up, the city moved forward
with the development of the Brandywine Park, which
accomplished three redevelopment goals: meeting the
needs of the  Brandywine Village district, cleaning up the
property, and keeping redevelopment costs low.
            Columbia, Missouri - Community Park

            The 2.5-acre former bulk oil terminal in Columbia was converted into
            a center for community activity. Cleanup was funded by a $200,000
            EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant and included the  removal of more
            than 7,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil and 12,000 gallons
            of contaminated water. The property is located in  the heart of the
            Columbia business district and provides the community with access to
            a playground, picnic benches, an amphitheater, and a gazebo. The new
            park serves  as a trailhead for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Nature and
            Fitness Trail  and is part of the American Discovery Trail that extends
            from Delaware to California.
                      The former bulk oil terminal was transformed
                             into a community park
            Summary Of The Benefits  Of Greenspace Reuse
            Greenspace redevelopment provides the opportunity to take a blighted property, previously unsuitable for recreation,
            and turn it into an easily accessible public gathering place. New city parks and recreational spaces improve the
            aesthetic appearance of derelict land and provide environmental improvements to both the property  and the
            surrounding area. Planting trees and other vegetation on such properties offers air quality improvements and social
            benefits. Creating an inviting greenspace for leisure and recreation draws residents and visitors alike. In addition,
            public parks and recreation areas often serve as a catalyst for redevelopment activities in the surrounding area.

            In most cases, the design of city parks is a collaborative effort that includes community involvement  in every
            aspect of planning, cleanup, and redevelopment. Maximizing community input and support, utilizing creative
            financing methods, capitalizing on public-private partnerships when available, and overcoming project obstacles
            through dedicated leaders working within the political environment are keys to turning petroleum brownfields into
            greenspace. Furthermore, the emphasis on public-private partnerships and community involvement  affirms that the
            inclusion of public interest is essential for development. Greenspace redevelopment promotes outdoor leisure and
            has the capacity to initiate a period of economic and aesthetic rebirth to the surrounding area.
20    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Mixed-use
Creating A Space With Multiple Uses - Mixed-use Redevelopment Options
  Examples Of Mixed-use
  Redevelopment Include:
  - Coffee shop        - Retail
  - Restaurant        - Farmers market
  - Housing           - Grocery store
  - Offices            - Hotel
  - Plaza space        - Community park
                                          Larger or assembled parcels lend themselves to redevelopment
                                          projects that can accommodate a number of reuses. These projects,
                                          which may include a single building development with two different
                                          types of reuses (for example, a building with retail shops on the
                                          ground floor and condominiums on the upper floors), are typically
                                          considered mixed-use redevelopment. Mixed-use projects serve a
                                          larger population base than single-use projects. Additionally, this
                                          type of redevelopment often combines commercial, residential, and
                                          greenspace reuse in order to accommodate a number of community
                                          needs and provide a better quality of life.
                            Roxbury, Massachusetts -

                 Affordable Housing, Commercial  Space
                              The 2.2-acre Egleston Crossing redevelopment in the Roxbury and Jamaica
                              Plain neighborhoods of Boston grew from the availability of two parcels. The
                              parcels included a former car repair shop and an abandoned theater in a targeted
                              redevelopment area identified by community stakeholders. Seeking to  eliminate
                              exposure to these contaminated and abandoned properties as well as improve the
                              neighborhood center, the Urban Edge community development corporation purchased
                              the properties and addressed the contamination and reuse of these parcels.
                              Once both parcels were acquired, the properties were combined to host a
                              mixed-use project that features affordable housing on the upper floors and
commercial space on the ground floor. Three environmental objectives of the finished project were to provide good
indoor air quality, improve energy and water efficiency, and reduce waste. The redevelopment project consists of
two buildings that include 64 new residential units for low-income residents, almost a quarter of which are reserved
for formerly homeless individuals with disabilities. The project also includes 8,300 square feet of commercial space
that contains a coffee shop, dental clinic, fish market, and a youth writing program.
Recognizing an opportunity to make an additional impact on the community, Urban Edge incorporated additional
sustainable features into the building design. While the project addressed contamination at the property and improved
                                                                                         Continued...
      Former car repair shop and abandoned theater
         in downtown Roxbury, Massachusetts
                                   The completed multi-use Egleston Crossing redevelopment project
                                                                           Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option   21

-------
            the image of the neighborhood, it also worked to minimize the future environmental impact at the site. Sustainable
            design elements integrated into the project include: low-flow toilets, shower heads, and aerators; non-irrigated
            landscaping with native plants to reduce water use; photovoltaic panels; and the installation of Energy Star® rated
            appliances, insulation, windows, and heating systems. The project also recycled 90 percent of the construction waste
            and other debris from the property. The project received the 2005 Energy Star® Builder Achievement award for the
            energy efficiency achieved and the 2008 EPA National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Award for Built Projects.
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:
                •   The two parcels would have been more expensive to clean up had they been redeveloped separately.
                    Combining them resulted in a cost-effective project that was completed ahead of schedule.

                •   Environmental benefits do not have to end at cleanup. The new buildings minimize future impacts on
                    the environment by integrating sustainable design elements into the project.
Project Funding Sources:
Urban Edge compiled significant public and private funding sources for multiple property activities.
Local
Funding
State and
Federal Funding
Private
Funding
- City of Boston HOME funds
- City of Boston McKinney's Fund
- City of Boston Neighborhood Housing Trust
- Mass Development
- Mass Technology Collaborative
- Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation
- Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund
- Massachusetts Home Improvement
Contractors (HIC)
- Mass Home Funders
- Urban Edge
- Keyspan
- Fleet Bank of Massachusetts
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

- Community Economic Development Assistance
Corporation
- Property and Casualty Initiative
- Mass Affordable Trust Fund
- Massachusetts Department of Housing and
Community Development
- Energy Star Homes Program
- Federal Home Loan Bank
- Bank of America

                Legacy at Art Quarter
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Apartments, Commercial Space
                      A six-acre property covering a two-block area in downtown Oklahoma City was temporarily
                      used as soccer fields during the property transfer and planning for the permanent mixed-
                      use  redevelopment project. The property was previously occupied by as many as three
                      gasoline stations, an automobile service facility, an auto body repair and paint shop,
                      and  a dry cleaner. The property was abandoned  in the 1970s, and the structures of the
                      former businesses were removed. After the Oklahoma Petroleum Storage Tank Division
                      issued a Ready for Reuse determination acknowledging that environmental conditions
                      on the property were protective of human health and the environment, the property had an
interim use as soccer fields by the Central Oklahoma Adult Soccer League. The property was later transformed into
a mixed-use redevelopment that now includes the Legacy at Arts Quarter apartment residences, retail shops, and
commercial office space. The interim use in this case was as a recreational space for the community.


New York, New York - Affordable Housing, Retail Space
The property was a former gas station  located on White Plains Road in the Bronx.
The New York State Department of  Environmental Conservation certified White
Plains Courtyard with the top "Track 1"  cleanup ranking, meaning it met the most
stringent environmental standards set by the state's Brownfield Cleanup Program
and qualifying it for "unrestricted use." In addition, White Plains Courtyard was the
first brownfield remediation in  the borough as well as the first former-brownfield
affordable-housing development in the  state to  achieve the highest cleanup
rating. White Plains Courtyard is a seven-story, 120,000-square-foot apartment
development that includes 16,500 square feet of ground floor retail space.
                                                                                         Residential and commercial mixed-use
                                                                                            project in New York, New York
22    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
  Rochester, New York - Townhouses, Commercial  Space

The cleanup of the former car dealership
       and fuel station
                                 The key to the redevelopment of one of Rochester's largest car dealerships
                                 came down to location. The 2.2-acre multi-parcel property situated in
                                 downtown Rochester operated for more than 60 years as a car dealership
                                 with multi-bay service and a repair garage as well as a gasoline station.
                                 When the facility closed in 1990, the buildings were abandoned and the
                                 property left vacant. While the property was under common ownership,
                                 it was comprised of multiple parcels. Recognizing the need to reinvent
                                 downtown Rochester, the city purchased the land in 1996 after conducting
a market evaluation to determine the reuse potential of the property. The redevelopment of the property would
ultimately take five years to complete. In the interim, the property was used to meet a need for public parking in the
downtown area that allowed more patrons to support nearby downtown businesses.

The city contracted with a private real estate firm to conduct a market evaluation to help  understand the possible
reuse scenarios appropriate for the property and for the entire downtown image. In conjunction with a review of
the environmental investigation, the most beneficial redevelopment option was the development of residential
townhouses as well as the reuse of the old dealership showroom as a 24-hour coffee shop and restaurant.
The showroom, which was designated historic, was integrated  into the mixed-use property design  allowing for
commercial reuse on the property along with residential townhouses. The 77 new townhouses constructed on the
property provided an opportunity to renew the population base within downtown Rochester and created a place to
live, work, and play in the downtown area. The Chevy Place development was the first new downtown apartment
complex built in 20 years.

Using experience on past brownfields redevelopment projects,  the city leveraged financing opportunities to make
the project feasible. Total cleanup project costs were approximately $750,000, with the city funding part of the
cost using a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) allocation and the developer funding additional cleanup costs. The city also assisted by providing direct
reimbursement for certain disposal costs and provided a reduction on the purchase price of the property to help
offset environmental cleanup costs. Additionally, the city helped provide a $2.35 million loan for the redevelopment
project. Because a number of incentives were offered, the developer was willing to take on the risk of liability for
the property. Another cost savings was the removal of planned  basements from the redevelopment project, which
also resulted in a greater level of protection for human health.

Within three months of completing the redevelopment, 97 percent of the units were filled with residents. The
project acted as a catalyst for more than $100 million in private investment and development in the area. Additional
projects included reusing an old auto body shop as a restaurant and removing an abandoned building to increase
parking for new businesses. The Chevy Place redevelopment helped change the face of downtown Rochester by
providing amenities and generating revenue for other local businesses.
                                                                                             Continued...
                 The new Chevy Place mixed-use development features the restoration of the car dealership's showroom
                                                                      Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    23

-------
                Key Components And Lessons Learned:
                •  Incorporating changes to the proposed redevelopment to accommodate the cleanup and protection
                   of human health and the environment provided easy cost savings for all partners.
                •  Working with an experienced developer helped reduce the city's project work and oversight.
                •  Financial incentives help in overcoming risk aversion to petroleum brownfield projects.
             The former railyard is a prime example of
                  blending multiple uses
Santa Fe, New Mexico - Residential, Commercial, Public, And Recreational

                            After serving the community for most of the 20th century as an active center for
                            transportation and business, the 50-acre Santa Fe Railyard spent the past few
                            decades as a blighted, vacant property. The public expressed a strong desire
                            to keep the railroad running to the historic depot, create a large park, enhance
                            local business opportunities, and form  an arts and cultural district within the
                            Railyard. The city purchased the property and used an  EPA Targeted Brownfields
                            Assessment to characterize the contaminants in the soil and groundwater.
                            Lead and other metals, petroleum, and petroleum product contamination were
discovered on the property. The city cleaned up  the property, and today the  Railyard is a successful blend of live-in
artist studios, galleries, museums, a farmers market, retail shops, office space, and over 13 acres that include
a park, plaza, and pedestrian promenade. The city contracted with the  nonprofit Santa Fe Railyard Community
Corporation to manage sustainable revitalization in keeping with the community's vision. The Railyard grand
opening was held in September 2008.


Moorhead, Minnesota - Residential, Commercial, And Public

Many structures in the Central City Corridor in Moorhead were over 100 years
old and abandoned or underutilized. Using an EPA Brownfields Assessment
grant, an area-wide assessment of the corridor revealed petroleum
contamination from a former gas station in the soil and groundwater. The city
used grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic
Development, the Minnesota Dry Cleaners Fund, and the Minnesota Petrofund
to help pay for the cleanup. A developer invested $18 million to redevelop the
area in five phases. The first phase, completed in the spring of 2005, included a mixed-use structure with three
commercial spaces and 17 apartments. Phase II added a second mixed-use structure and renovations of the
corridor's two historic structures, preserving them for reuse. In the fall of 2006, an outdoor bridgehead plaza was
completed at the base of the new Main Avenue Bridge, allowing pedestrians access to the river and to walking
and bike trails. Phase III included a parking ramp for 135  cars and a 30-unit apartment building with underground
parking. This new gateway to Moorhead welcomes travelers with a beautifully renovated, pedestrian-friendly
downtown area.
                                                                                       The Central City Corridor mixed-use
                                                                                           redevelopment project
            Summary Of The Benefits Of Mixed-use

            Redevelopment
            Considerations for mixed-use projects may include property size, building restrictions on the site, comparable real
            estate projects in the area, and community need. While property size is important, another key consideration is
            property layout. The layout and location of the property may influence the position of future buildings as well as the
            combinations of uses that can be situated on a property.
            If land is available and there is financial incentive, communities can use mixed-use development to attract a
            population base to the redevelopment area. Mixed-use development brings people closer to shopping, jobs, and
            other community destinations and in the process often reduces the distance that people have to drive or gives
            them the choice of walking, bicycling, or using transit.  One common practice includes zoning the first floor of a
            residential building for commercial use. This helps to attract  retailers while providing goods and services to area
            residents. Nonresidents also benefit from the new space. Like most redevelopment projects, mixed-use projects
            often depend on an anchor development to attract users as  well as other prospects for the property. Petroleum
            brownfields have been successfully used for these types of projects, which improve the target property and help
            leverage additional  development in the area.
24    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Successful  Redevelopment  Approaches
            The preceding section highlighted the wide variety of reuse options that are possible at
            petroleum brownfields. But how do these properties get redeveloped? Each petroleum
            brownfield redevelopment project is different and may rely on a unique combination of tools
            and resources to complete. Understanding and having access to a variety of tools and
            resources can help make projects successful.
               Former gas station redeveloped into a parking lot in support of the
                Pelican Landing Conference Center in Moss Point, Mississippi
Engaging Communities And Partners
                                            It is important for developers to remember
                                            that redevelopment projects are successful
                                            when they are accepted and welcomed
                                            by the community. Engaging  community
                                            residents and other project partners early
                                            in a property's cleanup and redevelopment
                                            process is critical to help promote more
                                            equitable development outcomes. It
                                            is helpful to integrate the community
                                            engagement  process into the property
                                            identification  and reuse selection process.
The community needs to be informed of the environmental conditions at the property, the
proposed remediation, and of potential reuse options. Providing honest and complete information
on the environmental issues and how they will be addressed helps generate credibility and
confidence in the project. Regular communication with the community and project partners
helps avoid potential misunderstandings. Listening to community concerns about environmental
issues, property design, and reuse is fundamental to the success of the project.  In addition,
communities provide valuable input on  preferred uses for a property. For example, in Jackson,
South Carolina, it was community input that crafted the redevelopment vision for Jackson Park.
In this example and in many of the other projects highlighted in this catalogue, civic and public
leadership played an important role in redeveloping petroleum brownfield properties.
Information can be shared with the community through multiple formats to ensure as many
people  as possible receive needed information. Some  mechanisms for information sharing
include: public meetings; discussions with business and community groups; information on
Web sites and in newspapers and newsletters; signs posted at the property; community
visioning exercises; and design charrettes (intensive, hands-on workshop that bring people
from different disciplines and backgrounds together to explore design options for a particular
area). In areas where multiple languages are spoken, communications can be translated to be
accessible to the impacted population.
In addition to the local community, engaging other project partners is another key to a
property's redevelopment. Community groups, environmental professionals, regulatory
agencies, financiers, local business groups, and developers can all be actively engaged
throughout the redevelopment process. Some partners' skills and resources can  be used to
minimize costs; for example, local gardening clubs  might offer free or low-cost landscaping for
a pocket park redevelopment once the  property has been  remediated. For more  information
on partnerships, visit www.epa.gov/brownfields/partnr.htm.

Working Through The Cleanup And Redevelopment  Process
The redevelopment process begins with the identification of the project property.  One tool
communities use to identify petroleum brownfields for redevelopment is a petroleum brownfield
site inventory. This inventory lists known properties that may require cleanup and provides
excellent resources for identifying potential properties for redevelopment. An inventory also can
be used to prioritize the redevelopment of multiple properties, assist in marketing properties for
reuse, help track redevelopment progress, and increase awareness of petroleum brownfields.
An inventory may be developed by a local government in conjunction with community
groups, local business leaders, real estate professionals, and developers. EPA's Petroleum
Brownfields: Developing Inventories (www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/pbfdevelopinventories.pdf) is a
good resource for learning how to develop and use an  inventory.
                                                            Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    25

-------
                                    Prior to purchasing a property, it is essential to conduct All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) to
                                    understand any potential environmental issues. AAI is the process of conducting due diligence
                                    or a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to determine prior uses and ownership of a
                                    property and assess conditions at the property that may be indicative of releases or threatened
                                    releases of hazardous substances at, on, in, or to the property. AAI necessitates involving an
                                    environmental professional and the environmental regulatory agency, either local, state, tribal,
                                    or EPA. An environmental professional can assist with the appropriate inquiry process and
                                    also provide advice on reuse, make recommendations for potential remedial action, and aid
                                    communication with state and federal regulators. The environmental regulator also will assist in
                                    understanding the implications of environmental reports and help explain what remediation is
                                    necessary. More information  can be found at www.epa.gov/brownfields/regneg.htm.
                                    Once a property is identified  for redevelopment, petroleum brownfield stakeholders can utilize
                                    state regulatory agencies and state response programs to facilitate the property's cleanup
                                    and reuse planning. States are key partners in terms of technical assistance, funding, liability
                                    issues, and selecting remediation and reuse options. Although liability remains an obstacle
                                    to reuse, state response programs are bringing a greater level of certainty to the cleanup
                                    and redevelopment process and establishing finality for cleanups with liability relief and "no
                                    further action" mechanisms. EPA's State Brownfields And Voluntary Response Programs: An
                                    Update From The States (www.epa.gov/brownfields/pubs/st_res_prog_report.htm) explores
                                    the evolving landscape of state environmental, financial, and technical programs, including
                                    the incentives  designed to promote brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. This user-friendly
                                    tool looks at multiple components of state brownfields and voluntary response program(s) and
                                    provides a synopsis of each state's response program(s) and contact information.
                                    In the cleanup stage of the redevelopment process, there are a variety of creative approaches
                                    that can be used to reduce costs and streamline redevelopment. An example of one such
                                    approach is using knowledge of a property's environmental and geophysical conditions to
                                    adjust  cleanup and reuse plans. Ensuring that new buildings are located on the most sound
                                    areas of a property will reduce the costs associated with stabilization and compaction. For
                                    example, at the Chevy Place in Rochester, New York, environmental investigation  results
                                    allowed the cleanup manager to identify ways to alter the cleanup plan,  reduce offsite
                                    disposal, and minimize excavation for the new building footprints, resulting in an overall lower
                                    cost. Another example of a cost-saving approach is to use the redevelopment project to fulfill
                                    some of the cleanup requirements. For example, features of a redevelopment project such as
                                    slabs or parking lots can serve as caps to contaminated areas.
                                    After cleanup,  there may be challenges to implementing a planned reuse at a property,
                                    including time  considerations, community issues, financing  issues, and/or environmental
                                    issues. In such cases, an interim reuse may be appropriate at a property to provide near-term
                                    economic and social benefits before a more beneficial  long-term reuse can be implemented.
                                    Another approach for property reuse is to consider parcel assembly. Because some petroleum
                                    brownfield properties are small and in locations that may have  limited reuse potential as
                                    independent properties, parcel assembly may improve the viability and marketability of a
                                    property. If land assembly is an option, the area can support a larger reuse project and can help
                                    achieve economies of scale if the environmental work can be conducted as a single project.

                                    Incorporating Environmental Sustainability
                                    Petroleum brownfield projects have increasingly incorporated more environmentally-sustainable
                                    elements into project cleanup and  reuse, such as recycling construction and demolition
                                    debris; conducting energy modeling to maximize efficiency  in building placement and heating,
                                    ventilating, and air conditioning selection; tapping into renewable energy resources (e.g., solar);
                                    using building  materials and  paints with no VOCs; and  incorporating native landscaping.
                                      Sustainable Cleanup And Redevelopment Resources
                                        •  EPA Water Sense (www.epa.gov/WaterSense)
                                        •  EPA ENERGY STAR® (www.epa.gov/energystar)
                                        •  EPA Brownfields Sustainability Pilots (www.epa.gov/brownfields/sustain_plts/)
                                        •  U.S. Green Building Council LEED® (www.usgbc.org/LEED)
                                        •  Sustainable Sites Initiative (www.sustainablesites.org)
                                        •  Living Building Challenge (http://ilbi.org/the-standard)
                                        •  EcoTools (www.cluin.org/ecotools)
                                        •  Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org)
26     Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Incorporating sustainability into the planning, design, and implementation of redevelopment
projects presents a number of benefits. Some of these benefits include improved energy
efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and savings in water consumption. Developing in
existing communities and on infill properties, and promoting more compact, mixed-use
development are critical factors in providing greater transportation choice and protecting open
space, resource lands, and critical environmental areas. In addition, projects that incorporate
sustainable elements are more marketable and offer lower operating costs than traditional
developments. There are many organizations that can offer guidance, products, and resources
for those interested in pursuing sustainable petroleum brownfield projects.


Finding Financing And Technical Assistance

Like many brownfields, petroleum brownfields may need to rely on public funding sources
to make redevelopment feasible. A variety of financing sources to support the  assessment,
cleanup, and redevelopment of properties are available at various levels of government.
Communities that  reach out to local, state,  tribal, and federal government programs to identify
these potential sources of funding may facilitate the cleanup and reuse of a property that
was previously unviable. EPA identifies partners and financing opportunities on its Web site
at www.epa.gov/oust/petroleumbrownfields/pbfinance.htm and www.epa.gov/brownfields.
Discussions with these partners can identify public and private funding sources that address
environmental, demolition, or other costs associated with site preparation and redevelopment.

Examples of funding sources and tools that stakeholders utilize in support of petroleum
brownfield projects may include but are not limited to:

•   State petroleum cleanup funds

•   EPA Brownfield Assessment, Cleanup,  and Revolving Loan Fund grants, Section 128(a)
    State and Tribal Response Program funds

•   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development
    Block Grants (CDBG), Section 108 loans, HOME Funds

•   U.S. Small Business Administration loans

•   U.S. Department of Commerce Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Awards (PECFA)

•   State-specific economic and community development funds

•   The National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
    Appalachian Regional Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, and the Economic
    Development Administration are examples of some  of the federal agencies that can
    support activities on brownfields properties

•   State financial tools; for example, Wisconsin's Financial Resource Guide For Cleanup And
    Redevelopment (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/archives/pubs/RR539.pdf)

•   Tax credits or increment financing also  can be a financial resource for projects

•   Private funding streams, including  construction loans, private Real Estate  Investment
    Trusts (REITs), and developer equity bonds

EPA's Brownfields Federal Programs Guide lists funding specific to brownfields projects; see
www.epa.gov/brownfields/partners/bf_fed_pr_gd.htm.

In addition to financial support, technical assistance is available from EPA and state regulatory
agencies. Many state and tribal environmental agencies also provide direct assistance for
environmental site investigation.

EPA's Technical Assistance to Brownfields  communities (TAB) grants provide geographically-
based technical assistance and training to  communities and other stakeholders on brownfields
issues with the goal of increasing a community's understanding and involvement in brownfield
cleanup and revitalization.TAB grants serve as an independent source of information
assisting communities with: community involvement; better understanding the  health impacts
of brownfield sites; the science and technology relating  to brownfields site assessment,
remediation, and site preparation activities; brownfields finance questions; and information
on integrated approaches to brownfields  cleanup and redevelopment. For more information
regarding TAB assistance, see http://epa.gov/brownfields/tools/tab_bifold.pdf.
                                                   Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option    27

-------
                       Moving Forward
                                                                               A former gas station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, prior to
                                                                                       cleanup and redevelopment
Redeveloping petroleum brownfields, with
their unique characteristics, requires creative
solutions. EPA is committed to efforts that
continue the success of assessing, cleaning up,
and reusing petroleum brownfield properties.
EPA is working with an array of external
stakeholders to enhance communications,
provide needed assistance to potential
partners, explore policy improvements, and
establish lasting relationships. Lessons learned through these efforts will result in new
areas of emphasis, new approaches to overcome the barriers to wide-scale petroleum
brownfields cleanup and revitalization, and further sustainability efforts.

In continuing to implement its Action Plan, EPA remains committed to pursuing
specific redevelopment initiatives that support the economic revitalization of petroleum
brownfields in economically-challenged communities. While EPA recognizes that
tremendous redevelopment progress has been made across the country, much of
the progress has focused on restoring larger urban areas. EPA is also committed to
understanding the needs of rural economically-challenged regions and providing tools
and resources specific to rural communities. While redevelopment projects can help
change the face of a community and protect public  health and the environment,  it is also
important to facilitate projects that can help restore economic viability and provide much
needed amenities for local citizens.
                                         After cleanup, Sherman Perk opened on the former gas station property
28    Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option

-------
Printed on Recycled Paper
United States
Environmental
Protection Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
5401 P
EPA510-R-09-004
October 2009
www.epa.gov/oust/

-------