Brownfields and
Sustainability
BROWNFIELDS
Brownfields are real property, the expansion,
redevelopment or reuse of which may be
complicated by the presence or potential presence
L. of a hazardous substance, pollutant or *
contaminant.
Resources
EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by the organizations listed and/or their respective Web site(s). Providing Web addresses to a non-EPA Web site does not constitute an
endorsement by EPA or any of its employees of the sponsors of the site or the information or products presented on the site.
Brownfields revitalization
returns abandoned or underutilized
properties to productive use, cleans
up the environment, creates jobs, and
strengthens the social fabric of communities. Although many brownfields
redevelopment projects have sustainable elements, opportunities exist to
make even greater strides in sustainable brownfields redevelopment. This
guide provides resources and contacts for those communities interested
in redeveloping their brownfield properties in environmentally sound,
economically competitive, and socially responsible ways.
GREEN BUILDING
Green or sustainable building is the practic
of creating healthier and more resource-efficient
models of construction, renovation, operation,
maintenance and demolition. ^
Chicago Center for
Green Technology
Built on a former illegal dump in Chicago, Illinois, the Chicago
Center for Green Technology meets the highest standards for green
building; it used the latest in green technology to earn a Leadership
in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) platinum designation.
This 34,000-square-foot building includes 36 percent recycled or
renewable materials, has a "green" vegetated roof, and collects and reuses
rain water onsite. Its energy-saving building components and mechanical
systems use 48 percent less energy than conventional construction. The
Center supports green economies by housing
tenants and programs that are
dedicated to sustainability,
and provide "green" jobs
to the local community.
They include a
manufacturer of solar
panels, an urban landscape
company, and a community
landscaping and job training program.
GREEN ECONOMIES
Green economies support healthy ecosystems
and communities. They push the boundaries of
technological innovation to produce services and products
without degrading water, land or air quality. They cultivate local
^ workforces and raise awareness of sustainable choices ^
consumers can make to improve the environment,
Federal Programs
Many federal agencies recognize the importance of sustainability and have made a commitment to it
by sponsoring or designing programs to promote sustainable communities.
Solar and Geothermal Business Energy Tax Credit (www.mdv-seia.org/federaljncentives.htm)
- allows a 10 percent tax credit on qualified solar energy property
The Whole Building Design Guide (www.wbdg.org)- a multi-agency sponsored site providing
resources for planning, siting, designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-
performance and sustainable buildings. Includes resources like the Federal Green Construction
Guide for Specifiers - a set of over 60 'greened' guide specification sections
(fedgreenspecs.wbdg.org)
Department of Energy (DOE)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (www.eere.energy.gov) - provides
information about renewable energy and energy efficiency; in particular the Building Technologies
section provides a host of useful links to information and resources from DOE's building programs
Building America Program (www.buildingamerica.gov) - sets standards for home builders,
provides technical assistance and builder training programs
Rebuild America (www.rebuild.gov)- provides technical assistance tools, resources, and
services on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (www.nrel.gov) - a national laboratory, conducts
research in energy efficiency and renewable energy
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Smart Growth Program (www.epa.gov/smartgrowth)- extensive resource on smart growth,
highlighting successful policies and projects from across the country and providing links to other
resources
Collaborative Science and Technology Network For Sustainability
(http://es.epa.gov/ncer/cns/)- provides grants for innovative regional projects that apply science in
decision-making to address sustainability issues
Green Building Programs (www.epa.gov/greenbuilding)- provides links to relevant EPA
programs, offers statistics on the impacts of green building and a listing of federal, state and local
green building funding opportunities
ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov) - offers tools and resources to reduce energy
consumption in homes and businesses
Clean Energy Programs (http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/index.htm) - provides information and
technical assistance on Clean Energy options - EPA Clean Energy-Environment State Partnership
Guide to Action (http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/stateandlocal/guidetoaction.htm)
Brownfields Program (www.epa.gov/brownfields) provides grants and technical support for
brownfields assessment and cleanup
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management (www.ocrm.nos.noaa.gov/pcd/communities.html)- addresses sustainability in
coastal communities
Federal Transit Administration's Livable Communities Initiative
(www.tta.dot.gov/11460J1463_ENG_HTML.htm)-Uvatie Communities Program
Federal Highway Administration's Transportation, Community and System Preservation
Pilot Program (www.fhwa.dot.gov/tcsp) - provides grants for projects that integrate
transportation, community and system preservation plans and practices
Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov) - provides grants and tax
credits for affordable housing
Department of Treasury (www.cdfifund.gov) - New Markets Tax Credit Program
National Parks Service (www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/tax) - Federal Historic Preservation Tax
Incentives Program
National Programs
Besides federal government support, there are many nationwide private and nonprofit organizations
promoting sustainable principles in local communities.
Sustainable Communities Network* (www.sustainable.org)- links citizens to resources and to
one another to support and build sustainable communities
Smart Growth Network* (www.smartgrowth.org/sgn/default.asp) - provides extensive information
on resources, strategies and best practices for smart growth and sustainable development
U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED Program* (www.usgbc.org)- provides green
building standards
Groundwork USA (www.groundworkusa.net) - network of independent, nonprofit environmental
businesses called Groundwork Trusts that work with local communities to promote sustainable
projects
Greenlnfrastructure.net* (www.greeninfrastructure.net) - provides extensive information and
case studies on how to implement smart conservation programs by identifying and protecting
critical green infrastructure
Smart Communities Network* (www.smartcommunities.ncat.org)- developed by the National
Center for Appropriate Technology, provides examples of successful sustainable community
projects, model codes and ordinances, technical and financial resources
National Association of Home Builders* (www.nahb.org) - provides information on sustainable
building and a guide for green homes
Form-based Codes Institute (FBCI) (www.formbasedcodes.org)-Web site created by the FBCI,
an alliance of form-based coding practitioners who set standards for and disseminate information
about the code technique
National Charrette Institute (www.charretteinstitute.org) - provides training and resources for
conducting a charrette, a planning tool used to design a common vision for
what sustainability means for a community
SMART GROWTH
Smart growth is development that revitalizes
neighborhoods, protects working lands and open
space, keeps housing affordable, and provides more
transportation choices. It is development that is good for
^ the economy, community and environment. ^
Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station, located in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia employed smart
growth principles to create a live-work-play development on the site of a
138-acre former steel mill. Its pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and mix
of residential, retail, office and recreational uses allow residents to walk to
restaurants and entertainment and use mass transit or walk to work.
-------
Building Codes Assistance Project* (www.bcap-energy.org)- works to save energy in
homes and buildings by promoting the adoption and implementation of building energy codes;
provides free assistance to states and municipalities
Natural Resources Defense Council - Cities and Green Living (www.nrdc.org/cities/defaultasp)
- provides strategies for making cities more healthy and livable
Rocky Mountain Institute (www.rmi.org) - provides resources for green development and
energy efficiency
Home Depot Foundation (www.homedepotfoundation.org) - provides environmental grants to
encourage green building and sustainable design in affordable housing
The Energy Foundation (www.ef.org) - provides grants for research on energy efficiency and
renewable energy to nonprofit organizations
The Kresge Foundation (www.kresge.org)- Green Building Initiative offers educational
resources and grants to help nonprofits during the planning phase
Rain Forest Alliance (www.rainforest-alliance.org/greenbuilding) - SmartGuide to Green
Building and Wood Sources
EcolQ.com (www.9coiq.com) - provides media and educational products and services; focuses
on the strategies, tactics and tools needed by leaders, educators and advocates working for
sustainability
East Gainesville
Depot Park
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
Green infrastructure is the interconnected
network of greenspace, forests, waterways and
wetlands providing the ecosystem services fundamental to
human health and biodiversity. It supports native species,
maintains and repairs natural ecological processes,
and sustains air and water resources.
In Gainesville, Florida, the East
Gainesville Depot Park Project is
transforming a former rail yard and industrial
area into a community park. At completion, it will
include walking paths and boardwalks, a restored
historic train depot, playgrounds, an amphitheater, a skate
park, and a bird sanctuary. Native vegetation will be planted
to recreate the natural wetland landscape, supporting the city's
green infrastructure. Two constructed ponds will naturally treat
runoff from city streets, reducing contaminants entering Paynes
Prairie Preserve State Park. This collaborative effort ties together
environmental
restoration,
development of rail
trails, historic
preservation, and
infrastructure
improvements to
encourage community
revitalization in
Gainesville.
Stapleton
At the site of Denver, Colorado's former Stapleton
International Airport, the first phase of a 4,700-acre mixed-
use redevelopment effort incorporates smart growth
and green building design. Guided by the Stapleton
Sustainability Master Plan, the project emphasizes diverse
housing, a walkable community, public transportation,
energy efficiency, recycling, green building practices, water
conservation, and environmental cleanup. For example,
homes must meet federal ENERGY STAR requirements and
minimize water use. In addition, 1,100 acres of concrete
from the site's runway was recycled for use in local construction
projects. Stapleton is also a good example of green
infrastructure where the formerly buried Westerly
Creek will be daylighted as part of the project. This
will help refurbish natural habitat while
Regional/State/ providing an amenity to future
Local Programs homeowners.
Because community redevelopment and sustainability are in
large part a local issue, a number of communities have developed their own
programs with grants, guides and other resources that are tailored to their particular area.
These resources represent just a few of these types of programs. For more information in your area,
start by contacting your state Environmental Protection Agency or its equivalent and your local
planning, economic development, and environmental agencies.
NextStep (www.nextstep.state.mn.us) -Web site for the Minnesota Sustainable Communities
Network sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; provides opportunities for
networking, information exchange, and access to assistance for those in Minnesota interested in
sustainability
Green Communities Demonstration Grant Program (www.epa.state.il.us/p2/green-
communities) - Illinois EPA-sponsored grant program that provides grants to communities to
support community-visioning processes when addressing local environmental issues
Sustainable Oregon (www.sustainableoregon.net) - provides case studies, event listings, and
the latest news on sustainability in Oregon, including developments in state government and local
initiatives
Virginia Sustainable Building Network (www.vsbn.org) - statewide organization that brings
together proponents of green buildings and sustainable communities; provides green building
events, training and technical assistance on green building design, and a clearinghouse and
resource directory
Built Green Colorado (www.builtgreen.org) - a statewide voluntary program that encourages
homebuilders to use technologies, products and practices that promote sustainability
Xcel Energy Design Assistance (www.xcelenergy.com)- provides technical assistance in
ten Western and Midwestern states for designing a new facility or constructing additions or
renovations with efficiency in mind to lower energy bills; provides rebates and cash incentives
* Web sites with an asterisk provide additional information and contacts for regional, state, and local sustainable resources.
For additional information on sustainable reuse of brownfields, contact:
EPA's Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment (OBCR)
(202) 566-2777
www.epa.gov/brownfields
United States
Solid Wast*
:merg«
Response
www.epa.gov/brownfields
Sustainable Reuse
of Brownfields
* * tji'd
^own
ICEHTER **
AVENUE]
.«*
------- |