Brownfields
   Area-Wide Planning Pilots
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA56O-R-13-OO2

    June 2014

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization would like to thank the following
contributors to this report:
 • The 23 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning pilot program recipients for sharing their experiences,
   ideas, lessons learned and project pictures.
 • Cassie Mance (of EPA Region Vll's Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division) for contributing to
   the report format and layout.

ABOUT THE EPA OFFICE THAT PRODUCED THIS REPORT
EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program is designed to empower states, communities,
and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent,
assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield is a property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a
hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program provides financial and technical assistance for
brownfields activities through an approach based on four main goals:
 • Protecting the Environment Addressing brownfields to ensure the health and well-being of
   America's people and environment.
 • Promoting Partnerships Enhancing collaboration and communication essential to facilitate
   brownfields cleanup and reuse.
 • Strengthening the Marketplace Providing financial and technical assistance to bolster the
   private market.
 • Sustaining Reuse Redeveloping brownfields to enhance a community's long-term quality of life.
More information can be found at www.epa.gov/brownfields.
COVER PHOTOS (clockwise from top left):
 • Brownfield site reuse rendering along the south Platte River in Denver, CO.
 • Brownfield site in the Tanner St Corridor/Ayer's City Industrial Park in Lowell, MA.
 • Community brownfields design charrette for the PR#i2y Petrochemical Zone of Guayanilla and
   Penuelas, Puerto Rico hosted by DISUR.
 • Brownfield site in the Mill Yard revitalization area in Sanford, ME.
 • Blue Greenway community project hosted by the San Francisco Parks Alliance.
 • Brownfields design charrette workshop materials for the gth St Corridor in Goshen, IN.
For more information on EPA's Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BF AWP) Program, please visit
www.eoa.brownfields/areawide erants.html.

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                                       BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                           Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Contents
Introduction
Cross-Project Theme i:
   Manage for Successful Community Involvement	4

Cross-Project Theme 2:
   Form and Maintain Strong and Supportive Partnerships	13

Cross-Project Theme 3:
   Identify What Is Feasible	19

Cross-Project Theme 4:
   Prioritize Sites and Projects	25

Cross-Project Theme 5:
   Develop Strategies for Plan Implementation Throughout the BF AWP Process	29

Cross-Project Theme 6:
   Maximize Resources Through Targeted Project Area Investments and Leveraging .... 35

Cross-Project Theme 7:
   Maintain Strong Project Management Throughout the Project	43

Conclusion	46
Appendix: Brief Descriptions of the Project Areas for the
23 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Pilots
47

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Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Introduction
   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (BE AWP) Program
   provides grant1 funding to communities that struggle with the challenges presented by a concentration
   of brownfield sites in a particular area of their city or town, such as a neighborhood, downtown district,
   waterfront, or a local commercial corridor. The BE AWP Program enables these communities to research
   existing conditions and gather community input to create an area-wide plan that will guide the cleanup and
   reuse of the brownfield properties and the surrounding area.

   EPA supports an area-wide approach to  brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. When multiple brownfield
   sites are concentrated in a specific area,  they are connected not just by proximity, but also often by
   environmental conditions and infrastructure, which together limit the environmental health, and economic
   and social prosperity of their surroundings. Rather than addressing brownfield sites one by one, an area-wide
   approach provides an opportunity to systematically consider the challenges related to multiple brownfields
   and incorporate site-specific assessment and cleanup into larger community revitalization efforts. An area-
   wide planning process enables a community to develop a shared vision for revitalization within the project
   area, strategize the best way to implement that vision, and more efficiently remediate and reuse brownfield
   sites to help reverse disinvestment.
      HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities

      The BE AWP program is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S.
      Department of Transportation, and U.S. EPAs Partnership for Sustainable Communities (HUD-DOT-
      EPA PSO. Brownfields area-wide planning facilitates the realization of the Partnership's six livability
      principles by emphasizing meaningful public engagement opportunities, integration with community
      planning efforts, and neighborhood revitalization approaches that benefit local residents.
   Sharing Lessons Learned

   This report conveys key lessons learned across the 23 projects that received pilot grant funding from EPAs
   BE AWP Program. Compiled from grantee feedback and observation of their experiences as grantees, seven
   cross-project themes emerged:

   1.   Manage for Successful Community Involvement

   2.   Form and Maintain Strong and Supportive Partnerships

   3.   Identify What Is Feasible
     Grant or grantee refers to the cooperative agreement relationship between EPA and the recipient(s) who received funding to perform
     the BF AWP project(s). Cooperative agreement is explained atwww.epa.gov/ogd/recipient/glossarv.htm.
  INTRODUCTION

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                                                 BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                      Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
4.   Prioritize Sites and Projects

5.   Develop Strategies for Plan Implementation Throughout the Process

6.   Maximize Resources Through Leveraging

7.   Maintain Strong Project Management Throughout the Project

Each of the seven cross-project themes are described in this report, including summarized ideas and advice
as shared by the BF AWP grantees. Cross-project themes each include a set of relevant basic concepts,
as well as a set of specific lessons learned from BF AWP pilot projects. The "basics" section includes well-
known, common  core project concepts that the grant recipients reinforced as best practices throughout their
projects. The "specific lessons learned from BF AWP pilot projects" represent ideas and approaches that the
grant recipients found particularly useful, constructive, and effective for helping them successfully manage
their brownfields area-wide planning process and develop a plan implementation strategy.


Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Pilot Grants

EPA competitively awarded BF AWP pilot grants in 2010. Under this pilot program, 23 recipients received
grant funding to conduct brownfields area-wide planning projects.2

 •   The recipients of these grants represented diverse communities: five nonprofit organizations, one tribe,
    one regional planning commission, and 16 local governments from various-sized cities (five large cities,
    nine mid-sized, and four rural communities).

 •   The pilot projects included a variety of project area types, including old industrial areas, downtown
    districts, waterfronts, neighborhoods, recreational and other public spaces,  local commercial corridors,
    and greenway corridors, that struggle with one or more brownfield sites.

Pilot projects consisted of research activities and technical assistance, such as:

 •   community engagement sessions to identify community priorities and opportunities to meet those
    priorities through cleaning up and reusing brownfield sites;

 •   brownfields area market studies and feasibility analyses;

 •   review of existing environmental conditions;

 •   coordination with existing community plans;

 •   brownfields area infrastructure analysis;

 •   brownfields site mapping;

 •   site reuse planning and schematic designs to reflect the community's cleanup and reuse goals for the
    brownfield  sites;
 See the Appendix for a list of the 23 grantees. Additional information can be found at www.epa.gov/brownfields/areawide_grants.htm.
                                                                                       INTRODUCTION

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     •  prioritization of brownfield sites for cleanup and reuse; and

     •  brownfields area-wide plan implementation strategies.

    Each grantee synthesized their research and technical assistance activities to develop an area-wide plan for
    community brownfields revitalization, and identified the next steps necessary to implement the plan (i.e., the
    actions they needed to take and the resources they needed to secure). As part of their efforts to improve the
    local environmental and public health conditions surrounding brownfield sites, the grantees are now pursuing
    the following types of revitalization goals in their communities:

     •  improving active business and light industrial corridors to help maintain business viability;

     •  diversifying land uses - creating a better mix of commercial/light industrial businesses with residential;

     •  attracting manufacturing or industrial reuses where appropriate;

     •  enhancing community waterfront access and activities, including better programming for the sites and area;

     •  increasing recreation and green space opportunities, including community agriculture where able;

     •  combining eco-restoration with economic redevelopment;

     •  developing renewable energy opportunities; and

     •  creating public uses, such  as a museum, library, and better access to health care and healthy food.

    Building from initial successes and lessons learned from the pilot projects, EPA competitively selected 20
    additional recipients to receive BE AWP project grant funds in fiscal year (FY) 2013. The  FY13 projects are
    underway and will continue through 2015. EPA expects that the lessons  compiled in this  report will be useful to
    current and future grantees, as well as other communities across the country, as they embark on the process of
    developing an area-wide plan and implementation a strategy for cleaning up and reusing brownfield sites.
  INTRODUCTION

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                                               BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                    Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Cross-Project Theme 1I Manage for Successful
Community Involvement
Meaningful and ongoing public engagement is the foundation
of a successful brownfields area-wide planning project. Active
community involvement helps ensure that the brownfield
sites selected for cleanup and reuse reflect the community's
priorities, and the subsequent redevelopment enhances the
community's character and future opportunities.

A fundamental component of BF AWP is that stakeholders
who are affected by brownfields contamination (whether real
or perceived) and historical disinvestment must benefit from
the  cleanup and reuse of the sites. These stakeholders must
have a sense of ownership in developing the community's
vision for brownfields cleanup and reuse, and strong input
in the decision making. When the planning for brownfields
cleanup and reuse is driven by meaningful public engagement,
the  community members, project partners, public funders, and
private investors recognize that there is strong commitment
to, and  capacity for, making improvements in the area.
This commitment to revitalization can be used to prioritize
resources and hold decision makers accountable.
Meaningful engagement of the
community means using a variety
of active involvement approaches
throughout the project. Advisory
committees, public meetings, one-on-
one interactions, community tours, and
brownfields charrettes3 are just some
of the ways stakeholders can share
information and provide feedback that
will inform the area-wide plan.

Stakeholders include residents,
businesses, government, nonprofits, and
interest groups, as well as organizations
and individuals whose valuable input,
partnership, and resources can be used
for the brownfield area revitalization.
Community engagement activities for the BF AWP "Brown to Green" project led by Communities for a Better Environment (CBE)
(Huntington Park, CA). Photo credits: CBE

3 A charrette is an interactive, collaborative planning and design workshop that is used to engage a range of community stakeholders
 around a project, get their input and develop site designs in response to that input. In the BF AWP context, a community can host
 a charrette around key brownfield sites in the community. EPA has additional information on design charrettes atwww.epa.gov/
 sustainabilitv/analvtics/design-charrettes.htm
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      Community Involvement Basics

       •  Consider public engagement to be an ongoing activity integral to the success of your project, not
         limited to a handful of events.

       •  Start early and continue the engagement throughout the project. Early momentum enables the
         community to get started with identifying their priorities for brownfields revitalization and can set
         the right tone for the overall  project.

       •  Be inclusive and transparent. Include the full spectrum of residents, businesses, organizations, and
         public agencies at the start of the project and as part of the project advisory committee. Engage
         with new stakeholders, and work with existing partners in different settings. Explain how decisions
         about the future of the project area will be reached.

       •  Hold project meetings and events within the affected community, and schedule them at times when
         the community members are available (e.g., after work hours, on weekends).

       •  Create a project website or use a social media site. Keep it current with all of the latest information,
         reports, and progress updates, and  make it interactive so that you can solicit and respond to feedback.
         Use the Web to complement, but not replace, more direct community engagement activities.

       •  Every opinion counts. Respect all voices and encourage reluctant parties to participate. Provide
         opportunities to receive one-on-one or small group feedback from those who are not comfortable
         speaking  out in a  large public meeting.

       •  If building on a related community  planning or partnership effort, revisit the BE AWP project starting
         point often, and gladly bring everyone up to speed. Do not assume that all stakeholders have been
         following previous work on the project.
   Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP Pilot Projects

    •  Make community involvement a top priority by budgeting appropriately: Ensure that the BF AWP
       project budget strongly reflects the importance of stakeholder engagement activities and opportunities
       to provide feedback throughout the entire project. Balance the outreach and communication activities
       that occur with property owners in the project area with those with the general public (e.g., neighborhood
       outreach activities). Look for additional resources that can keep the community engaged over the long
       term as the project moves from planning to implementation.

    •  Identify project champions in your local leaders: Work with local leaders from all sectors of the
       community and encourage them to become champions of the project. Strive for diverse representation of
       neighborhoods and community groups. Closely involve these local leaders, incorporate their ideas, and ask
       them to involve others throughout the planning phase and all the way through project implementation.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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                                                  Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
                                                          The support and involvement of local
                                                          leaders who become BF AWP project
                                                          area champions will build credibility
                                                          for and interest in the project. These
                                                          champions can also be called upon to
                                                          provide media interviews to help get the
                                                          word out about the project.
Let the community speak for itself. Have community
leaders engage and lead key elements of the project:
Request that community leaders involved in the BF AWP
process present, or co-present, information about the
project whenever the opportunity arises. Local community
leaders are aware of the concerns of their members, and
in some cases, these leaders may be able to build trust
and commitment for the project better than project staff
or contractors. Encourage the community leaders to lead
tours of brownfield sites in their neighborhoods, and share
histories and insights that will influence the neighborhood
vision for the project area.

Create a project advisory committee: Engage a diverse group of local leadership, subject matter
experts, champions, and businesses who will give advice and input that will help shape the project. Have
this committee meet regularly and frequently.

  3  Use an application process to select advisory committee members; this helps to ensure that you
    are including the most dedicated stakeholders whose involvement will endure over time. Set
    expectations for committee member time commitments and establish clear roles for the committee.

  o  Encourage the project advisory committee to evolve into a project implementation committee after
    the BF AWP process has concluded. Decide who else needs to be included on the implementation
ADVICE COLUMN
Project Challenge: Dealing With Reluctant Property Owners

Grantee tips for engaging property owners who are reluctant to participate in the BF AWP
process include:

 •  Engage property owners regularly throughout the BF AWP process and maintain active
    communication.

 •  Keep property owners in the loop and ask for their opinion. It takes time to build trust, so build
    relationships slowly.

 •  Take time to listen to the property owner's concerns. You may need to have small group or one-on-
    one discussions to flesh out the issues. Property owners are often wary, apprehensive, or unclear
    regarding government actions.  Make connections back to the project goals that demonstrate how
    BF AWP supports their priorities.

 •  Use peer relationships with other property/ business owners who have worked through the process
    to help frame the benefits of the BF AWP effort.

 •  Speak in terms of economic benefit and real estate. How is involvement in the BF AWP effort good for
    the property owner? Speaking the same language as the property owners can improve relationships.
                                CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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           team. Assign responsibility for key actions to specific
           members on the committee.

         o  Encourage the members of the advisory committee
           to share regular updates with the groups they
           represent. This will help spread project information
           and support, and maintain a transparent process.

       Promote a renewed sense of place throughout the
       project area: Help stakeholders and prospective investors
       see past the label of a "brownfields area" and work with
       the community to renew or establish the project area's
       identity.  Draw from the area's unique history by reviving an
       old mill district or restoring/preserving historic buildings,
       or encourage a new look and feel to the area by creating a
       "Green Zone" or "Community Arts District." Strengthening
       the identity of the area helps attract a  cluster of like-
       minded and synergistic businesses, which not only
       makes the neighborhood unique but also improves
       competitiveness with other areas not facing the same
       types of challenges from brownfields.

       Choose  an involvement strategy that fits your
       community: The BF AWP pilot grantees successfully used
       a range of public engagement strategies, chosen based
       on what  worked  best for each project. For some projects,
       well-established  approaches, such as press releases, door-
       to-door visits, and mailed invitations resulted in robust
       community meeting attendance. Other communities found
       that different techniques were more effective,  such as early
       one meetings, direct outreach to community-based groups,
        Pilot Project Example

        The Jacobs Center for
        Neighborhood Innovation
        (San Diego, CA) grantee
        incorporated a community
        planning process called VOCAL
        (Voices of the Community
        at All Levels), which included
        18 representatives from different
        cultural backgrounds who helped
        ensure that community residents
        led the planning process. In
        addition to community input
        sessions, VOCAL members
        participated in a series of six
        brownfields-focused workshops
        that included the topics of
        reuse  planning, assessment
        and remediation strategies,
        remediation and health impacts,
        infrastructure support, economic
        redevelopment, and a next-steps
        resource plan.
engagement with local businesses, one-on-
websites, and social media.
           Recognize if your stakeholders are experiencing "meeting fatigue" around local planning issues,
           or have a history of disenfranchisement or distrust in the public process, so you can develop more
           suitable outreach methods that result in long-term, productive engagement with the community.

           Vary your outreach methods and types of activities.

               Use both conventional (e.g., newspaper ads, library bulletins, public meetings, webinars) and
               unconventional outreach methods (e.g., bike and site tours, social media, electronic polling during
               meetings, tactical urbanism approaches) to reach and get involvement from a broader array of
               stakeholders.

               Try to accommodate diverse schedules by holding a  variety of events and include activities that
               are suitable for multigenerational participants.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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                                                      Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
    Develop anticipated project outcomes and common
    goals with the community, and ensure that they
    are clearly communicated: Set the expectation that
    involvement in the BF AWP process is a vehicle for change
    not just an exercise on paper. Together with the project
    advisory committee and the community, determine the
    common goals around which the project will focus and
    revisit these at community engagement events so that
    stakeholders can see how the process is working to
    meet those goals. Avoid using jargon or terms  not fully
    understood or embraced by the community.

    Plan your message with partners and goals in mind:
    It is likely that the BF AWP process and goals will overlap
    with those of project partners, including other city
    departments, regional agencies, or nonprofits  in your
    community. Help these partners realize  how their own
    goals can be met with clear messages about the potential
    outcomes and shared benefits of the BF AWP process.
Pilot Project Examples

Using other public events, common
facilities, and businesses can help
get the word out about the BF
AWP project. Some examples from
BF AWP grantees include:

• Sanford, ME: The city held a BF
  AWP public event in conjunction
  with the city's holiday tree
  lighting ceremony.

• Goshen, IN: The city showcased
  the project area through a
  display at City Hall.

• Phoenix, AZ: A  local pizzeria
  advertised upcoming
  community meetings via flyers
  placed on pizza boxes, which
  both advertised the meeting
  and the business's commitment
  to the project.
San Francisco Parks Alliance (CA) sponsored coastal cleanups, vegetation planting sessions, and numerous other involvement activities
along the Blue Greenway (including bike, boat, and kayak tours) to help spread the word about the project and provide various
opportunities for community input.
Photo credit: San Francisco Parks Alliance
                                   CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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       Think about how to sustain involvement in the project over the long term: Neighborhood
       revitalization takes time; achieving it requires a long-term strategy and commitment. Make sustaining
       involvement into future years a priority.

       Engage youth to bring unique perspectives into the project: Creating special opportunities for
       community youth participation will help shape the vision for brownfields in unique ways. Incorporating the
       ideas of the younger population means that the plan will reflect the priorities of those who will benefit the
       most in the long term. Youth involvement also helps capture the support of public officials, philanthropic
       organizations, and  interest groups who otherwise might not lend their time and resources to brownfields
       cleanup and reuse.

       Seek to understand opposition to the project: Address opposition to the BF AWP process directly
       and transparently. Having public meetings early on can help to identify project opposition that could pose
       obstacles down the road. Take time to learn about the opposing parties' views and concerns; ensure that
       they feel recognized in the process. Encourage other stakeholders to address these opposing views in
       order to have an honest dialogue among those invested in the process.
      ADVICE COLUMN

      Project Challenge: Managing Opposition to the Project

      Below are some methods that BF AWP grantees have used to help manage opposition to their projects
      during community forums:

       •  An electronic voting system can be used to facilitate community participation and ensure that every
         attendee at the meeting has a voice. It is also an effective mechanism to demonstrate the overall
         feelings of a group, especially when a small number of people loudly dominate the meeting. A vote
         can be taken to see how many people share the opinions expressed and the conversation moves
         forward quickly if there is no consensus around that point.

       •  Raised-hand questions are not allowed. Instead, attendees must write down their question, name,
         and community represented. This process maintains transparency; it also takes some of the emotion
         out of the meeting and keeps the discussion on topic.

       •  Breaking out into smaller groups with project staff members facilitating each table discussion allows
         quieter people to take time to think through their opinions, provide input, and feel comfortable
         talking. This also ensures that their message is directly heard by the project staff.

       •  Setting the right tone for the meeting up front is important. One community changed the tone of
         their meeting by having a local councilperson speak, then a minister led a prayer about tolerance.
         Then they held a small group discussion where everyone was able to participate.

       •  Know who is opposing the action and seek to understand why. Addressing their issue directly and
         succinctly can help the meeting stay on track.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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                                              BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                   Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Pilot Project Examples

• BF AWP grantees in Sanford, ME; Goshen, IN; Monaca, PA; and Communities for a Better Environment,
  CA, engaged youth in various ways throughout their projects. One particularly effective way to
  get input on community priorities and brownfields site reuse ideas was to hold design charrettes
  for school students. Consider presenting the BF AWP project to high school science classes and
  university engineering and architecture students, and explain to them how their input can be
  incorporated into the project. Enlist their ideas and future help as the project goes forward.

• The City of Kalispell, MT conducted extensive outreach to individual stakeholders in the area,
  completing over 80 face-to-face meetings with area property owners and providing 10 presentations
  to community  organizations. Their approach enabled local stakeholders to better understand and
  stronger participation  in the BF AWP project.
ADVICE COLUMN

Outreach Management

Desarrollo Integral del Sur (DISUR), a BF AWP grantee in Puerto Rico, shared the following ideas for
managing the public outreach process:

 •  Declare transparency early: Your community may be wary and even mistrustful at the start of your
    project due to promises not followed through on in the past. It is important to set the stage for
    transparency in the project early on and deliver on that transparency.

 •  Create an online project report: To assist in project transparency, post the project goals, key
    contacts, team members, and project schedule online. Keep the list of project milestones and
    downloadable versions of completed reports available for review on your project's website.

 •  Prepare a public exhibition: DISUR was able to  design a public exhibition and then produce a catalog
    for outreach during and after the project. This  helped spread public awareness during the planning
    process and provided them with a public information tool for continued communication.

 •  Communicate frequently: Once you have the phone numbers and email addresses of contacts,
    create a database and keep people informed about project developments. Social media can (to an
    extent) serve this purpose; it also provides another forum for gathering community feedback about
    brownfield plans.

 •  Form media relations: Develop a media list early and start reaching out to the appropriate reporters,
    editors, producers, and bloggers at the local newspaper, radio station, television, etc.
                                CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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                                                    DISUR centered their BF AWP project area on an old petrochemical
                                                    corridor in southwestern Puerto Rico. Community members participated
                                                    in design charrettes to re-imagine improvements and new land uses for
                                                    this area, and worked with DISUR to develop a plan for how to clean up
                                                    and reuse key brownfield sites in the area. Many infrastructure upgrades
                                                    are needed to support local residents and encourage new commercial
                                                    industries (such as solar energy generation and ecotourism, among others)
                                                    to  bring jobs to this area.

                                                    Aerial photo credit: Lizzie Herrera forAerofoto Internacional Puerto Rico
                                                    Charrette series photo credit: Juan C. Feliciano and Maria M. Rivera Grau
                                                    for DISUR, Inc., Puerto Rico
        Project community meetings in the Montview
        Corridor (Aurora, CO) were discussion based and
        designed to be interactive.
        Photo credit: City of Aurora, CO

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                                                   Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
ADVICE COLUMN

Tips for how the design and tone of your brownfields area-wide plan and implementation
strategies should support and reinforce your community engagement effort

 •  Your brownfields area-wide plan should:

     o  explain the community engagement process;

     °  provide cleanup and reuse scenarios for specific brownfield sites, and explain how the reuse of
        these sites will meet community priorities;

     o  explain how uncertainty is reduced for cleanup and redevelopment because brownfields
        regulation, zoning, and other policy barriers already have been considered and the plan was
        developed with community and political support;

     o  include a strategy for using public resources and/or attracting private and nonprofit investment
        to the area; and

     o  contain a strong implementation section with clear strategies, a list of prioritized actions for the
        near, intermediate, and long term, and responsibilities assigned for accomplishing the actions.

 •  Executive summaries should be written carefully and include a concise overview of the project goals
    and plan, as well as key next steps, action items, and the project partner(s).

 •  The tone of the planning process, and of the plan itself, is absolutely critical. Your project can easily
    lose support if you are not careful with the tone in every part of the  process.

     o  Instead of using planning jargon, start conversations with stakeholders with exploratory
        questions, such as What do you like about living in your community? How do we use the assets
        we already have, but in a better manner? Which of these assets would you  like to build from and
        what new assets do we need?

     o  The final plan should reflect the community's ownership of the  project process, priorities
        identified, and commitment to implementing the plan. Write from the first  person plural
        perspective.  Do not allow the plan to be primarily a list of recommended actions that the city or
        nonprofit should take because this can have a polarizing effect.

 •  Make it easy for the public to comment on the draft version of the plan. Post the draft online and
    place hard copies  around town for review. Gather public input, address questions, and incorporate
    comments in the final version. Determine how the feedback can inform the implementation of
    the plan.

 •  Celebrate the completion of plan development with your community. Have a public event that
    rolls out the final brownfields area-wide plan and kicks off the implementation phase. Arrange the
    event around activities that start plan implementation, such as school, park, or riverfront cleanups;
    volunteering at a community-based organization; a ground-breaking event for new development;
    fundraising activities; or making an outreach video describing next steps.
                                 CROSS-PROJECT THEME 1: MANAGE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Cross-Project Theme 2I Form and  Maintain Strong

   and  Supportive Partnerships

   The strength of the BF AWP process, the ability to create a brownfields revitalization plan that represents
   community priorities, and the capacity for implementing the plan directly correlate to the partners that
   participate in and provide support for the project. Working around common goals with committed partners
   before, during, and after the development of the brownfields plan will provide a strong foundation and guide
   the project.

   All successes regarding plan development and implementation will occur because of local drivers -
   partnerships among government, community-based organizations, businesses, foundations, and other
   stakeholders - who provide the enthusiasm, share the responsibility, and bring in the resources needed for
   the project. These organizations will provide the  input necessary to develop the plan and establish long-term
   networks for implementation.
      Partnership Basics

       •  Have a clear understanding of the perspectives and sectors represented by your partners, including:

           o  governmental entities (federal, state, tribal, regional, or local);

           o  interest groups (public, private, citizen, advocacy, or nonprofit);

           o  various subject matter experts (housing, environmental, economic development,
             transportation, education, public health, social welfare, faith-based, etc.); and

           o  leadership (elected and appointed officials, executive directors, etc.).

       •  Keep it simple. Make it easy for a supporting organization or stakeholder to be a partner in the
         process. Be clear about the role that each partner can play and why they are important.

       •  Create partnerships that strengthen ties and build trust and credibility among multiple levels of
         government, community organizations, and private entities.

           o  Multi-sector partners help leverage the best knowledge, priorities, and resources.

           o  Utilize partners' abilities and unique contributions to the project, and have them assume
             responsibilities that your agency or organization cannot.

           o  Formalized partnerships help ensure active participation and continued commitment to
             the project.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 2: FORM AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

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                                               BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                    Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP Pilot Projects

 •  Bring new and existing partners together: Form new collaborations and renew long-standing
   partnerships by integrating existing relationships with new partners. Work on building trust among all
   partners that can be fostered through transparency and clear expectations. Determine early on when will
   be the most appropriate time to engage new partners, and find specific opportunities for them to add
   value to the process.

 •  Clearly articulate shared goals that the project can help achieve: When partners share common goals,
   they are better able to work together and alongside the community. This translates into a shared sense
   of ownership and commitment for brownfields area-wide plan development and implementation, and
   continued involvement for near- and long-term success.
  ADVICE COLUMN

  What is the range of potential partners to consider for your BF AWP project?

                                                   •  Cultural groups
Grantees shared these examples of various
BF AWP partners that they engaged:

 •  Faith-based groups

 •  Youth and student groups

 •  Local elected officials and members of the
   state legislature or U.S. Congress

 •  Educational groups, including school boards,
   parent-teacher associations, and local
   colleges and universities

 •  Business owners

 •  Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club

 •  Local and regional water boards, economic
   development authorities, and emergency
   preparedness groups

 •  Clinics and hospitals

 •  Developers and realtors

 •  Press, local bloggers, and media

 •  Local artists, arts organizations
                                                   •  Local populations whose primary language is
                                                     not English

                                                   •  Young families, local parents groups

                                                   •  Property owners, including absentee and
                                                     abandoned site owners

                                                   •  Renters

                                                   •  Nonprofit organizations, both community-
                                                     based (e.g., local employment center,
                                                     Groundwork Trust) and local chapters of
                                                     nationwide organizations (e.g., Trust for
                                                     Public Land,  Urban Land Institute)

                                                   •  Local offices of relevant federal and state
                                                     agencies (e.g., EPA, HUD, DOT, USDA, etc,
                                                     and state equivalent offices)

                                                  Consider the best way to engage each  partner
                                                  in the BF AWP process. You may need  to meet
                                                  one-on-one or in small groups to first establish
                                                  credibility and interest from the partner before
                                                  bringing all of the partners together around the
                                                  discussion table.
                           CROSS-PROJECT THEME 2: FORM AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
       Use your partners to broaden influence and build support: Partners with good community standing
       and influence can elevate the profile of the BF AWP project. They can leverage political commitment,
       strengthen relationships, and build public trust.

         o  A partner may be in a better position to lead different parts of the revitalization effort than your
           organization, due to their position and relationships within your community.

         o  Partners with community  development experience may help bring in contacts and relationships with
           sustainable and  equitable development-minded developers,  nonprofits, and businesses, which can
           help generate greener and healthier land uses in the community.

         o  Partnerships can help build the business and property owner support needed to establish area-wide
           plan implementation vehicles like business improvement districts (BIDs), tax increment financing (TIP)
           districts, changes needed to local policy and zoning, and so forth.

         o  Include local elected officials in activities and events (e.g., public gatherings, charrettes, ribbon-cutting
           ceremonies) that will help  them understand the BF AWP project and gain their commitment to
           implementation.
   Project partners tour the West End brownfields planning area in Chicopee, MA. Photo credit: Frank Gardner, US EPA Region I
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 2: FORM AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

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                                             BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                  Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
  o  Share responsibility for implementation across
    multiple partners who have various authorities to
    direct resources to the project as available.

  o  Think about the best way to include other
    municipalities from your region as partners in
    your local brownfields revitalization effort. Nearby
    communities are likely to share similar goals with your
    BF AWP  community, and your joint efforts can be
    complementary.

Formalize partnerships to help ensure long-term
involvement: As the project evolves, so will the
partnerships. Where using informal, ad hoc partnerships
to solicit input may have been appropriate  early in the BF
AWP process, more formal agreements can better serve
the purpose of defining roles,  allocating responsibility,
increasing accountability, and encouraging transparency
among partners over the long term.

Be prepared to put in  the needed effort to develop
and maintain partnerships over the long term: The
readiness of a community and its partners to undertake a
BF AWP process and carry it through to plan completion
and implementation should be discussed and assessed
up front. Regular, repeated coordination with all project
partners is necessary. Sometimes, extensive one-on-
one meetings are needed to build partnerships. The
organization leading the BF AWP project will need to work
hard to attract the right partners and keep them engaged
throughout the process.

Strengthen internal partnerships and keep everyone in
the loop: Use  the interdisciplinary nature of the BF AWP
process to involve other members of your organization,
and encourage them to have a specific role  in its success.
Several city staff members who worked on  BF AWP pilot
projects shared that it was immensely valuable, albeit
difficult, to coordinate elements of the BF AWP process
across departments within their city. Looping in these other
offices and connecting the  project to overall organizational
goals helped them make stronger project allies.
Examples of formalized partnerships
include intergovernmental agreements,
memoranda of understanding, project
charters, written mandates from
mayor/city or county council/other
leadership, public-private agreements,
community benefit agreements,
advisory committee ground rules, and
financial or in-kind contributions from
partners. Documenting the partnership
will establish and manage expectations
for the project and clearly define
partner roles.
   ADVICE COLUMN

   Involving Federal Agencies in
   Your BF AWP Project

   Determining the most appropriate
   time to engage with federal
   agencies is an important discussion
   to have with your BF AWP project
   team early on. The involvement
   of federal agency representatives
   will depend on what they can
   offer to the project in terms of
   assistance. Several of the BF AWP
   grantees felt ready to include
   agency representatives from the
   start of the project, and even
   included these representatives on
   the project advisory committee.
   Other communities, however, were
   not comfortable engaging federal
   agency representatives until  their
   project was further along, and
   they had a better understanding of
   their resource needs and  specific
   implementation challenges.
                         CROSS-PROJECT THEME 2: FORM AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
       Determine which partners are needed but are currently missing: Reach out to various public
       and private organizations and let them know about your BF AWP project. Invite the participation of
       representatives from state departments of environmental protection and economic and community
       development; federal, tribal, or regional agencies; and foundations and local educational institutions. Ask
       these representatives to share their subject matter expertise when exploring implementation options,
       such as financing authorities, grants/loans, and anticipated funding amounts; navigating programs; sharing
       government or foundation funding priorities; and identifying examples/case studies relevant to your
       project. Working with EPA's Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program or HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership
       for Sustainable Communities points of contact can help you make connections with other federal and
       state agencies.
      Pilot Project Example

      One outcome of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation's BF AWP pilot project was that they
      were able to strengthen their internal tribal partnership. Colville Tribes used the process to evaluate and
      improve their intra-tribal environmental management paradigm. The brownfields cleanup and reuse vision
      for a new solid waste transfer station was planned to help make the site reuse sustainable over the long
      term. Now, the tribal council has approved the next steps needed to implement the area-wide plan for the
      brownfield sites, and has clearly delineated internal roles and responsibilities within their partnership to
      make it happen.
      ADVICE COLUMN

      Interested in working with partners to develop a Business Improvement District (BID) for the BF
      AWP project area?

      Some ideas from BF AWP grantees on how to create a BID to help energize local businesses and
      residents for action:

       •  Investigate whether your state requires legislation for special districts.

       •  Work with businesses to identify the benefits of a BID and who will lead the effort to develop the
          district. This facilitates the petitioning process. Often it is better that a BID petition comes from the
          private sector than from local government.

       •  A BID model could be used to attract developer interest to the area. Common area  appearance
          improvements can go a  long way.

       •  A BID may be one way to get existing property owners engaged to work toward betterment of the
          area. A BID can also put  pressure on a recalcitrant property owner to better maintain and clean up
          their property.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 2: FORM AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

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                                                          BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING  PILOTS
                                                                Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
                                                                                                    Area-Wide Approach
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The Borough of Monaca, PA and three neighboring communities, the Borough of Midland, the City of Aliquippa, and the Borough of
Coraopolis, partnered together to develop a cleanup and reuse strategy for key brownfield sites along the 4o-mile Ohio River corridor.

Graphic credit: Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates
                                 CROSS-PROJECT THEME 2: FORM AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE PARTNERSHIPS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Cross-Project Theme 3: Identify What Is Feasible

   Market studies, infrastructure assessments, and environmental conditions provide important
   parameters for Brownfields reuse.

   Brownfield revitalization plans must consider community priorities alongside realistic expectations regarding
   the market, availability of infrastructure, and existing environmental conditions. Conducting market-based
   studies, developing an economic analysis, reviewing environmental data, and assessing the state of area
   infrastructure will help to ensure that the cleanup and redevelopment proposed through the BF AWP process
   strikes a balance between the aspirational vision of the community and the reality of the amount of resources
   needed to build that vision.

   Evaluate the feasibility of the project by understanding how the existing conditions and expected market
   demand in the brownfields area influences the BF AWP process. This information will lead to more specific
   strategies for plan implementation, which will increase the likelihood that the cleanup and redevelopment can
   be completed.
      Feasibility Basics

       •  Projects requiring private market investment and development can use an economic analysis or
         market study of the brownfields area to identify what reuses the local market can support. This
         analysis can provide information on:

           o  the timing of market demand (near term versus long term);

           o  types and amount of redevelopment that can be supported by the market demand:

           o  intensity of proposed land uses;

           o  estimated purchase prices or rental rates; and

           o  market absorption rates.

       •  Additional feasibility evaluations can identify the extent to which a project is dependent on other
         investment or cleanup actions. For example:

           o  What is the condition of the infrastructure  in the area?

           o  Can the infrastructure support and maintain the planned redevelopment for the brownfield
             area or is investment in infrastructure needed?

           o  What is the environmental condition of the area and of the specific brownfield sites?

           o  Will the project require a public subsidy?
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 3: IDENTIFY WHAT IS FEASIBLE

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                                                 BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                      Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP Pilot Projects

 •  Use existing condition and market studies to guide
    brownfield cleanup and redevelopment goals: Ensure
    that the vision for brownfields area is grounded in
    practicality and attainability. This approach contributes
    to the transparency within the BF AWP process and
    reinforces trust in the process.
        Shape a plan for brownfields redevelopment that is
        guided by market studies, infrastructure analysis,
        and the ability to remediate known environmental
        conditions within the project area, alongside the
        community's revitalization goals.

        Manage stakeholder expectations if market and other
        feasibility studies for the project area will be done
        after the community creates a vision. Prepare the
        community for conversations about the tradeoffs
        needed if the study does not fully support the vision.
Interim Reuses for Sites

Interim reuses are generally less intensive
land uses that provide immediate local
benefits and prevent contaminant
exposure. Taking interim steps toward
completing the BF AWP vision can
provide additional time for collaborating
with partners or researching and
pursuing  planned infrastructure
investments, while maintaining a focus
on brownfields area improvement and
demonstrating to the community that
their priorities are being addressed.
Transportation infrastructure and site access issues are challenges that exist in (clockwise from top) Goshen, IN, along the Ohio River
brownfields area in PA, and Chicopee, MA.
Photo credits: Goshen, IN: Jon Grosshans, EPA Region V
Ohio River: Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates
Chicopee, MA: Frank Gardner, EPA Region I
                                                        CROSS-PROJECT THEME 3: IDENTIFY WHAT IS FEASIBLE

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
         3  Longer-term implementation strategies might need to include short-term solutions that will help
           bridge any feasibility gaps in the redevelopment plan.

         3  In cases where the market, infrastructure, environmental conditions (e.g., prohibitive cost of cleanup),
           or local policy does not coincide with the community's vision, consider whether there are interim
           actions (e.g., improved maintenance of properties, limited cleanup measures) or reuses for key
           properties that can provide some more immediate community benefits and investment.

       Check cleanup and reuse compatibility with other sites, plans, and zoning: A core concept of the
       BF AWP process is that the reuse of a brownfield property will be influenced by the conditions and uses of
       the properties around it. Consider the following:

         3  Investment in one property often begets new investment in an adjacent or nearby property. Develop
           a cleanup and redevelopment strategy that systematically takes into account recent investment.
      ADVICE COLUMN
      Interested in engaging with greener-minded developers?
      Some ideas from BF AWP grantees on how to bring more green, sustainable and equitable development
      approaches to your BF AWP process:
       •  Ensure that your community vision includes goals that reflect sustainable and equitable
         development approaches, and emphasize these goals in all of your communications about the
         project area. This will  get the word out that greener redevelopment practices are desired and
         expected in the project area.
       •  Brand the project  area as a green and healthy district. This can help lure greener businesses and
         industries that want to be in  that district because it helps build their own credentials. It can also
         make the project area more competitive with other locations.
       •  Talk early with  potential developers about including green and healthy building design elements
         and how to design leases that advance the goals of your community. Follow a green building
         rating system (e.g., LEED, Green Globes) or EPA green building programs if this is helpful for
         communicating your sustainable redevelopment goals, and consider how a community benefit
         agreement could help support equitable development.
       •  Include a developer on a project advisory group. For example, in the BF AWP pilot project in
         Phoenix, AZ, a  developer was included and was able to use connections to bring additional
         stakeholders into the  planning process. It also resulted in a pool of developers interested in the
         project area.
       •  Use zoning for the brownfields area as a tool to require greener development, such as providing
         credits (e.g., height variances) to developers that use greener development methods and creating
         overlay districts in certain areas to encourage specific types of development.
       •  Offer a more expedient  review process for greener development projects. Often, time can be as
         important as money for developers.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 3: IDENTIFY WHAT IS FEASIBLE

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                                             BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                  Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
  o  Know what other community plans apply to this
    project area and determine how the BF AWP process
    can be consistent with and integrate those plans.
    These are important elements of overall project
    feasibility.

  o  Identify early on whether the zoning for the project
    area is compatible with the planned brownfields
    revitalization or if changes will be necessary.

Engage with potential end owners and users to get
their input on the site reuse options that seem most
feasible: Check in with experts and ask those who may
be interested in operating the site once it is cleaned up
and redeveloped (e.g., for running a business or nonprofit,
developing housing, building a park or other recreation
area). In their opinions, what types of land reuses seem
feasible and cost effective?

Assess the state of the infrastructure to determine
whether improvements will be needed: Successful
reuse of brownfield sites will depend on the availability
of infrastructure. Assessing the condition of existing
infrastructure and its ability to support the planned  reuse
is critical. Evaluate transportation (roads, sidewalks, transit)
and utilities (drinking water, stormwater, sewer, power,
telecommunication, waste management, etc.) for the
capacity to accommodate site reuse scenarios over the
long term. In addition, you may  need to identify how to
improve access and circulation for traffic and pedestrians
in the area. The feasibility of your BF AWP project will be
influenced by the following infrastructure considerations:

  o  The density and type of reuse on the brownfields that
    the infrastructure can support;

  o  Any area  infrastructure improvements needed; and

  o  How long it will take to make the infrastructure
    improvements, as well as the amount of public or
    private funding needed.
Pilot Project Examples

• The City of Denver, CO,
  completed corridor-wide
  mapping of existing conditions
  in the 11-mile South Platte River
  brownfields area, including
  brownfields sites, infrastructure
  (highways, railroads), ownership,
  impermeable surfaces, and
  stormwater infrastructure.
  These maps helped the city
  make decisions about which
  brownfields cleanup and
  reuse projects could include
  stormwater management
  and green infrastructure
  components. This work
  complemented river and
  greenway improvements taking
  place under the River Vision
  Implementation Plan.

• In addition to several
  community meetings, the BF
  AWP grantee in Ogdensburg,
  NY, held a meeting specifically
  with developers to get their
  input on potential cleanup and
  reuses for the  key brownfields
  along the  waterfront of the St.
  Lawrence and  Oswegatchie
  rivers. This meeting provided
  valuable insight and expertise
  to the community's BF AWP
  process and brought developers
  up to speed on the community's
  goals for the project.
                                                    CROSS-PROJECT THEME 3: IDENTIFY WHAT IS FEASIBLE

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
      Pilot Project Examples

      • In Cleveland, OH, the city
        was able to share data with
        the Northeast Ohio Regional
        Sewer District (NEORSD) and
        the Cleveland Opportunity
        Corridor project. A large portion
        the city's research into the
        environmental conditions of
        key brownfield sites that could
        be cleaned up and considered
        for green infrastructure reuse
        was useful to NEORSD. Data
        from the BF AWP project were
        also instrumental in helping
        to influence the Cleveland
        Opportunity Corridor roadway
        alignment, and save the
        expansion opportunities of
        the two existing businesses
        (Miecelli's Dairy and Orlando's
        Bakery).

      • Jacobs Center for Neighborhood
        Innovation (San Diego, CA) and
        the City of Atlanta, GA, each
        coordinated their BF AWP pilot
        projects with ongoing health
        impact assessment (HIA) efforts
        in their communities. With HIA
        data in hand, these communities
        were able to incorporate specific
        concerns from area residents,
        and opportunities to improve
        multiple aspects of public health,
        through the cleanup and reuse of
        brownfields in the project area.
Identify existing environmental conditions:
Incorporating information from existing condition
reports, local public health advisories, and environmental
injustices will inform and influence the BF AWP. This
includes using quality, pre-existing site assessment data
to inform your project and comparing the data against
how much environmental cleanup is needed to achieve
the community's vision for the area. Having and sharing
this information at the start of the public process means
that these issues and concerns can be raised early on, and
decisions on how they should be addressed will be based
in reality.

Obtain, update, and share data: The data on which your
BF AWP project and implementation strategies are based
need to be clear, transparent, accessible, and current.
Compile and share the necessary information about the
project area, including data on environmental, economic,
and public health  conditions; population, transportation,
and housing trends; and area cultural history.

Demonstrate project viability with an economic
development strategy: An economic development
strategy done in tandem with brownfields area reuse
planning will demonstrate how the plan is economically
viable, and will provide information on thejobs, housing,
and other community improvements anticipated. This
information helps to build support for the plan. Create an
example cost analysis of each cleanup and redevelopment
project (e.g., a pro forma worksheet) and use it to help
determine public  costs versus private costs. This will give
the community, partners, and private sector developers a
better idea of the type of redevelopment you are looking
for and an estimate of the costs.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 3: IDENTIFY WHAT IS FEASIBLE

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                                                BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                     Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
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Much of the New Bern, NC, Five Points neighborhood lies in a flood plai
changing climate conditions. When creating the brownfields plan for thi
brownfield sites could be affected. In coordination with their BF AWP el
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Much of the New Bern, NC, Five Points neighborhood lies in a flood plain, making it more susceptible to severe weather events and
changing climate conditions. When creating the brownfields plan for this area, the city considered potential flooding issues and how the
brownfield sites could be affected. In coordination with their BF AWP efforts, the city also did resiliency planning for coastal areas, using
technical assistance provided by EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities.
Graphic credit Goody Clancy
                                                       CROSS-PROJECT THEME 3: IDENTIFY WHAT IS FEASIBLE

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Cross-Project Theme 4:
   Prioritize Sites and  Projects
   Resources for brownfields cleanup and neighborhood revitalization are limited in every community, so
   it is essential that you prioritize redevelopment sites and projects within the BF AWP project area. The
   prioritization process should set the stage for step-by-step implementation of the plan.
      Prioritization Basics

      When prioritizing the sites and
      projects on which to focus for the
      brownfields area-wide plan, many
      BF AWP grantees considered
      characteristics such as:

       •  Proximity of the site or project
         area to sensitive populations

       •  Presence of human health or
         environmental threats

       •  Size of the property

       •  Likelihood of cleanup and
         redevelopment, and the
         availability of a known,
         interested end user

       •  Availability of other resources
         to contribute to the  project

       •  Potential of site cleanup
         and redevelopment to spur
         additional improvements in
         the project area

       •  Whether the site is publicly
         owned, or the property owner
         is willingly committed to the
         BF AWP revitalization process
Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP
Pilot Projects

 •  Make the project manageable by keeping to
   a reasonable project area size and number of
   brownfields: Determine a reasonable number of
   brownfield sites around which the project will focus. When
   developing project area goals, be as specific as possible. Do
   not try to create a brownfields area-wide plan for too many
   sites or too large of a project area. Consider what can be
   realistically implemented overtime.

 •  Consider how site control and accessibility may
   affect the project: Site control, the availability of public
   infrastructure to support site reuse, funding for site
   assessment and cleanup, and the ability to leverage
   additional investment are factors that reflect a readiness
   to move forward with a project, and each should be taken
   into account. Properties may be more ready to move
   forward if they:

     o  are owned by a person or organization closely
        involved in the BF AWP process;

     o  are adjacent  to public or private investment; and/or

     3  have specific interest from  prospective property
        purchasers, developers, or  property owners.

 •  Predetermine whether key properties are eligible for
   resources: Screening properties in the project area for
   public incentives (e.g., tax incentives for private investment),
   federal or state grants, or loan eligibility can help with
   organizing the list of properties into project priorities. A
   prioritized list helps keep the project focused on key next
   steps, and resources can be directed more quickly toward
   these projects if their eligibility is predetermined.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 4: PRIORITIZE SITES AND PROJECTS

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                                              BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                   Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
 Develop site selection criteria and discuss with property owners and the public: BF AWP grantees
 developed and applied various rationale and criteria for selecting sites for reuse and implementation
 planning. Discuss possible sites with current property owners before offering the sites for prioritization in
 a publicforum.

 Look for opportunities to achieve project efficiencies and economies of scale: Identify where site
 cleanup and reuse activities will be coordinated around multiple properties in order to achieve some
 economies of scale. Also look for an opportunity to focus on properties adjacent to recent investment and
 with compatible existing uses.

  o  Consider how the sites and projects tie together. Can an issue that is a problem for one site end up
     being helpful to another site in some way?

  o  Have a strong sense of the state of infrastructure; try to identify what efficiencies you can achieve by
     cleaning up and reusing brownfields while making infrastructure improvements.
Pilot Project Example

In Roanoke, VA, the BF AWP
grantee used a reverse site selection
model. The city first conducted
a market analysis to determine
what businesses or investors were
interested in redeveloping properties
of the size the city had in the area
and for what end use. The city used
this analysis to make decisions
about how to develop, prioritize, and
implement their plan, including which
brownfield sites to clean up first.
                                       Photo credit: City of Roanoke, VA
                                                 CROSS-PROJECT THEME 4: PRIORITIZE SITES AND PROJECTS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
       Recognize which sites have the potential for being catalysts in the project area: Which possible
       brownfield redevelopment projects are potential "game-changing opportunities," and are likely to have
       a catalytic effect across the area? Small or large, a brownfields site cleanup and reuse project that is
       completed can often kick-start revitalization in other parts of the project area. Ensure that an outcome
       of your BF AWP process is that the key/catalyst brownfield sites have detailed site preparation and reuse
       plans ready-to-go so that once implemented, these projects can spur additional area improvements.

       Seize opportunities to start implementing part of the project: When an opportunity comes along
       to implement a  component of the plan, take advantage and move forward as soon as possible. Small
       successes can have a catalytic influence, leading to greater successes and momentum.  Do not wait until
       the entire BF AWP process is concluded to take action if a key project can get underway sooner.
      Pilot Project Example

      The BF AWP grantee in
      Tulsa, OK, was innovative in engaging
      the community around selecting and
      prioritizing sites for their project. The
      city and project consultants made up a
      community game and used Monopoly-
      type cards to get participants to
      choose priorities around site selection
      criteria such as property ownership,
      visibility, development potential, and
      community benefits.
      Photo credit: City of Tulsa, OK
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 4: PRIORITIZE SITES AND PROJECTS

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                                                 BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                      Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
                                BALLANTINE
Site renderings and conceptual
drawings that depict the cleaned
up and reused brownfields are powerful
tools that not only help interpret the
community vision, but are also useful
when deciding how to prioritize the
project. Two- or three-dimensional
images of the proposed site designs
help all project stakeholders, including
potential developers, better understand
the "big picture" community goals,
and generate ideas for sequencing key
project elements.
Ironbound Community Corporation in Newark, NJ, worked within the community priorities of recreation, greening and growing, and
flexible markets to develop a brownfields area-wide plan that keeps the project spaces adaptable for several different types of uses.
Graphics credits: Jonathan Rose Company
                                                    CROSS-PROJECT THEME 4: PRIORITIZE SITES AND PROJECTS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Cross-Project Theme 5:  Develop Strategies for

   Plan Implementation Throughout the BF AWP Process

   One goal of the BF AWP process is to enable a brownfields community to make a quick and smooth transition
   from planning activities to project implementation. It is important to identify early on which near- and
   long-term actions will lead to incremental, on-the-ground progress that is consistent with the goals of the
   community. Once these are identified, ensure that they are clearly articulated in the brownfields area-wide
   plan. The community vision for brownfields revitalization can only be achieved when the right resources
   are secured and leveraged at the right time and the full and continued commitments of key partners, local
   leadership, and project stakeholders are in place.

   If you strive to make the entire BF AWP process an implementation-oriented program in your community, you
   will set the tone for having practical, matter-of-fact conversations with project area stakeholders around how
   to implement the plan. Working with them to create specific implementation strategies should occur alongside
   development of the plan.
      Implementation Strategy Basics

       •  Begin the BF AWP process with the goal of being able to implement the final plan. Project area goals
         should be ambitious yet realistic. Set the expectation at the project kickoff that there will be much
         implementation work to do even after the plan has been finalized.

       •  Work under the principle that successful implementation will happen because of good planning, local
         drivers, partners, leveraging,  and determination. Do not rely primarily on federal or state resources
         to implement the plan.

       •  Ensure that the BF AWP process is focused on identifying:

          °  funding resources needed and a timeline for obtaining them;

          o  leveraging opportunities;

          o  key partners and which  aspects of the  plan they are responsible for; and

          o  how to break down the  plan into near-term and long-term actions.

       •  Do not wait until the plan is fully developed  to start on implementation. Start on implementation as
         soon as the opportunity is presented.

       •  Prepare the community for the often  long effort between starting the BF AWP process and full-
         scale implementation. Advertise and celebrate incremental progress to maintain  momentum.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 5: DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE BF AWP PROCESS

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                                               BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                    Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP Pilot Projects
   Bring together an implementation task force: Identify
   and rely on the creative thinkers and those who know
   how to get things done in your community. Develop
   implementation strategies around who is in the best
   position to implement each component of the plan and
   how progress can be tracked and evaluated.

   Understand that moving from planning to
   implementation does not have to be a linear process:
   Implementation activities can occur alongside plan
   development; they do not have  to happen only after the
   plan is fully developed. Be flexible enough with the process
   so that if an opportunity comes up to start an activity that
   aligns with the community's vision for the project area, you
   can take advantage of it.

   Get started on implementation now: Brownfields site
   assessment, site cleanup, and project infrastructure
   improvements (e.g., repaved roads, better transit
   service, streetscape and ighting upgrades, enhanced
   telecommunications and electricity, water quality and
   sewer upgrades) in the project area are all implementation
   activities. Another important implementation activity is
Pilot Project Example

The BF AWP grantee from
Aurora, CO, developed a steering
committee from the various
stakeholder groups. The city
shared each new deliverable
produced under the EPA grant
with the steering committee,
so the members were aware of
incremental progress being made.
Steering committee members
took that message back to their
constituent groups, which helped
keep everyone informed and
momentum behind the project.
Periodically, the city convened
larger stakeholder meetings to
give a full update and report out
on the project.
  ADVICE COLUMN

  What are some early preparations a community can take at the start of their BF AWP project to
  help them become ready to implement their plan?

    •  Discuss plan implementation early and throughout the process, especially the specific resources and
      actions needed to accomplish the plan.

    •  Identify financing opportunities up front to help ground your plan in a feasible, market-based approach.
      Steer clear of creating a project area plan that needs to be overly subsidized with federal or state
      funds. The local market will need to support your plan.

    •  Useful and resourceful partners are needed at the project start. Get commitments from project
      partners that they will work with you throughout the project and see it through to completion.

    •  Use available federal and state funds as seed money for your project, but look for local resources
      and investment to carry the project through to completion. Do not rely on the possibility of securing
      federal and state resources to implement the plan because many of these programs can be highly
      competitive and are often oversubscribed.
        CROSS-PROJECT THEME 5: DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE BF AWP PROCESS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
                                                                Early actions can get the ball rolling on
                                                                implementation. Look for "cheap and
                                                                easy" changes that can signal a start
                                                                to implementation and build some
                                                                momentum. For example, the BF AWP
                                                                grantee in Atlanta, GA made stoplight
                                                                signalization in the project area better
                                                                and this helped to make the area
                                                                more inviting.
tying the public policy you develop through the BF AWP
to local planning tools. Adopting the plan and addressing
public policy barriers, changing project area zoning as
needed, establishing TIF for the area, piloting innovative
stormwater management techniques, and creating a BID
for the project area can all be important implementation
steps. Educate the community about the benefits of
these activities and explain how they fit into the BF AWP
implementation  process.

Identify resources that align with your project: Begin
the  BF AWP process by brainstorming with project
partners about what resources are or will be available for
implementation.

  o  Identify attainable resources at the federal, state, regional, and local levels that can be used to
    remediate targeted brownfield sites. Include technical assistance, discretionary grants, formula
    grants, and  low-interest loan opportunities.

  o  Where possible, align the existing resources of project partners and use them to help advance the BF
    AWP process and goals.

  o  Link the plan outcomes to opportunities to secure private funding. Determine which private investors
    may be interested in investing in the project area revitalization and include them appropriately.
      Pilot Project Example

      Encourage investment in the BF AWP project area that responds to private sector needs where
      appropriate:

      • The BF AWP grantee in Phoenix, AZ, responded to developer interest in the project area by
        upgrading street infrastructure and making site improvements. These helped to make a
        redevelopment deal work.

      • The BF AWP grantee in Lowell, MA, worked with area businesses to determine how site design,
        streetscape, and traffic flow could be improved to  better meet the needs of the community. The city
        was then able to set up ownership arrangements with key businesses to implement some of these
        improvements.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 5: DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE BF AWP PROCESS

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                                                  BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                       Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
    Break down the project into specific implementation actions: Fully achieving the community's goals
    and vision for the brownfields project area will be complex. It is essential that the implementation strategies
    become action items that are broken down into manageable steps. Take a "what if?" approach, as in
    "what if this actually happens?," to help everyone think through specific strategies and partners. Hosting
    an implementation workshop is a good way to engage key stakeholders in prioritizing these actions into
    immediate and longer-term steps. During the workshop, consider how to answer the following questions:

     o  What is the array of projects that we want to accomplish?

     o  Can we break down the overall project plan into smaller pieces?

     o  How can  we make progress on the small items first?

     o  Can we capitalize on ongoing projects/investments that are ready to go?

     o  Which  resources do we need to seek, and when?
      EXISTING 2-STORY
        BUILDING
                     SIDEWALK  PARKING  TRAVEL LANE   TRAVEL LANE ROW RESERVE
                                                               EXISTING PARKING LOT
EXISTING 1-STORY
  BUILDING
Examples of short-term implementation projects for the City of Lowell, MA, include streetscape improvements and redesign of Tanner
Street to make the BF AWP project area more accessible and attractive. Graphics credits: City of Lowell, MA
        CROSS-PROJECT THEME 5: DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE BF AWP PROCESS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
      ADVICE COLUMN

      Some specific implementation
      challenges that nonprofits may
      encounter:

       •  Brownfields site ownership
         or control: Nonprofits may
         not have interest or ability to
         hold title to property, which
         may be necessary for doing
         in-depth brownfields site
         investigations, cleanup, or
         redevelopment.

       •  Funding availability:
         Nonprofits may not be eligible
         to receive  all sources of public
         funding (e.g., EPA Brownfields
         Assessment grants) so
         partnering with including
         local government and other
         organizations is important.

       •  Local government needs to
         adopt the  plan: Nonprofits will
         need to actively engage city
         leadership to ensure that the
         final area-wide plan for the
         brownfields project area can
         be formally adopted  by the
         city, and become a specific
         neighborhood plan or part of
         the city's comprehensive plan.
Identify "stopper" issues: Certain issues may have
stopped brownfields site redevelopment in the past, such
as legal or enforcement matters or reluctant property
owners. Address these issues early on so that the
brownfields site is not prevented from being cleaned up
and redeveloped.

Introduce new activities and programming into the
area: Using properties in new ways can generate, or renew,
community  interest in the BF AWP project area.  Host
activities that bring a variety  of people to the area, and
allow them to enjoy themselves and experience the area's
potential. Brand the arrival of new or interim uses, such as
a farmers' market, festivals, food trucks, or popup retail or
restaurant, as part of the BF  AWP community process.

Build on small  successes: Use a first success as a building
block; for example, advertise the incremental progress as
a tangible, on-the-ground result. Once you are successful
with one project,  it is often easier to do the next project.

Connect to job training opportunities: Engage your local
workforce development center to discuss the skills that are
needed to advance your plan and how to develop those
skills within  the project area.  Job training  opportunities
that ready the local workforce can help attract new
businesses.  Support local hiring throughout all stages of
the cleanup and redevelopment.

Celebrate interim milestones: Set short-, mid-, and
long-term goals, and structure actions to achieve interim
development successes. Widely advertise and  publicly
celebrate when BF AWP milestones are met.

Keep up the momentum to  maintain interest:  Be
mindful that investment can be slow to follow and
resources hard  to get. Develop a specific strategy for
keeping momentum and stakeholder interest in the BF
AWP project, particularly after the plan has been created
but the hard work of implementation continues.  Find every
opportunity to champion the community's vision for this
project area and make incremental progress on the key
properties that are needed to advance the plan.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 5: DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE BF AWP PROCESS

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                                                BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                      Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Consider how your project plans support the priorities of the funders whose resources you are
   seeking: One strategy that a community may consider is how their BF AWP project plans align with the
   specific goals and priorities of available resources. This strategy usually requires developing a detailed
   timeline and project funding matrix to link potential funding sources with the brownfields cleanup and
   other catalyst projects.

   Share your project area story over and over again: Be thoughtful about the best way to spotlight your
   BF AWP project and get the attention you need from elected leaders and local, regional,  state, and  federal
   officials. Find opportunities to share the story about this project and show how this type  of investment is
   helping your community develop the right tools and  strategies to solve local problems.
Community input helped to shape these design concepts for the Core Revitalization Area downtown district in Kalispell, MT.
Graphic/photo credit: City of Kalispell, MT
        CROSS-PROJECT THEME 5: DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THROUGHOUT THE BF AWP PROCESS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Cross-Project Theme  6: Maximize  Resources Through

   Targeted Project Area Investments  and Leveraging

   Various resources are needed to manage the multiple logistical, technical, informational, and financial needs
   of developing and implementing a brownfields area-wide plan. Having the right partners from public agencies,
   community or interest groups, property owners, foundations, and private  businesses is crucial for expanding
   the capability of the organization leading the BF AWP process and supporting different aspects of the project.


     Targeted Project Area Investments and Leveraging Basics

      •  Engage agencies with recent or planned capital investments in the project area, such as
         infrastructure improvement projects or new development. Understand how the timing of these
         investments influences your project. Use this engagement to identify opportunities in which those
         agencies' goals and the BF AWP goals are complementary.

      •  Build relationships with appropriate federal, state, tribal, and regional agencies; share the local
         importance of the project with how it aligns to the priorities of these organizations.

      •  Use the BF AWP process to demonstrate community consensus points, support, and readiness to be
         able to quickly use implementation resources once received.

      •  Showcase partnerships that have a history of successfully leveraging resources; use these to
         demonstrate the capacity for managing and using other competitive resources.
   Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP Pilot Projects

    • Look for opportunities to leverage your organization's resources alongside your partners'
      resources: Recognize from the beginning that completing the large BF AWP project will involve the
      collective work of multiple partners acting in different capacities. Coordinate and strategize with
      other local government departments and community-based organizations, and share implementation
      approaches with regional, state, federal, and tribal agencies. Use these opportunities to build knowledge
      and support for your project, discuss leveraging possibilities, and improve your understanding of available
      technical assistance and funding.

        o  Work together with project partners and across city departments to determine how resources can be
           combined or acquired to start cleanup and redevelopment on the priority brownfield sites.

        o  Become knowledgeable on how to leverage local funding resources to meet federal or state grant
           funding match requirements.

        o  The targeted layering of investments in the project area will not only bolster the overall revitalization
           effort, but also will provide evidence of a municipality's commitment to supporting private investment
           with complementary public investment.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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                                            BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                 Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Use initial grants as seed money; concentrate early
funding received into the project area and use it to
attract additional resources: Brownfields resources
from EPA or the state often provide the initial public
investment and seed funds to revitalization projects, which
help to open the door to additional private investment
in the area. For example, the BF AWP grantees who
have other EPA brownfield resources are using them to
begin implementing their plans, including targeting their
assessment grants, cleanup grants, revolving loan funds,
and state and tribal assistance grants to the project area.
These communities are also working with EPA regional
offices to secure targeted brownfield assessments for key
properties as resources allow.

Examples of project area investments and leveraging
in the BF AWP pilot projects: The BF AWP pilot project
recipients have targeted local implementation resources
and have attracted significant leveraging to the project area,
resulting in many community improvements and continued
project momentum. On the following pages are four examples
variety of existing resources and secured new leveraging from
       Pilot Project Example

       The City of New Bern, NC,
       leveraged other EPA Brownfields
       grants alongside their BF
       AWP grant. The city initiated
       Phase I and Phase II brownfield
       site assessments using two
       community-wide assessment
       grants, then used the
       environmental information to
       help determine potential reuse
       options and costs, and create
       a brownfields area-wide plan
       that included three priority
       brownfield sites in the Five Points
       neighborhood.
from BF AWP grantees that have used a wide
multiple public and/or private sources.
In each example, some of the resources were secured and used prior to the grant recipient receiving
the EPA BF AWP funds; this demonstrates how the BF AWP process can be used to both build on prior
investments in and attract new investment to the project area.
 CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Examples of Project Area Investments and Leveraging That Helps Further Implementation of
BF AWP Pilot Projects
Grantee
Sanford, ME
Source of investment for
implementation funds/
assistance
U.S. HUD Community
Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and match
from the city
U.S. HUD Neighborhood
Stabilization Program
EPA Brownfields
Southern Maine Regional
Planning Council
Brownfields Revolving
Loan Fund (RLF)
Southern Maine Regional
Planning Council
Brownfields RLF
EPA Water (Green
Infrastructure)
New York University -
Urban Planning Program
What assistance/funds have or will
accomplish in the project area
Downtown neighborhood revitalization
grant; city matched funds with the purchase
of property that will be used as a waterfront
park/public gathering space adjacent to
Sanford Mill
Sanford Mill project; help with housing and
ensuring that some residential units are
subject to income eligibility limitations
Assessment and cleanup grants for Millyard
properties; one Targeted Brownfields
Assessment (TBA)
RLF subgrants for two of the properties
within Millyard that received EPAs
cleanup grant
RLF loans for two of the properties within
Millyard that received EPAs cleanup grant
Technical assistance to help redesign the
former mill complex that drains to the
Mousam River in order to revitalize the
river as a recreational, ecological, and
economic asset
Midtown Mall Re-Use Planning Study
Estimated
amount or
value
$625K
$35M
$2.1 M
$400K
$1.1 M
$40K
$50K
 CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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                                     BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                         Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Examples of Project Area Investments and Leveraging That Helps Further Implementation of
BF AWP Pilot Projects
Grantee
Ranson, WV
Source of investment for
implementation funds/
assistance
DOT TIGER II/U.S. HUD
Community Challenge
(with 30% local match)
U.S. HUDBrownfields
Economic Development
Initiative (BEDI)
EPA Brownfields
EPA Brownfields
EPA Brownfields
WV Department of
Transportation/Division
of Highways
WV Department of
Transportation/Division
of Highways
WV Department of
Transportation (with
20% local match)
WV Division of Forestry
State of West Virginia
DOT TIGER IV
City of Ranson
What assistance/funds have or will
accomplish in the project area
2010 grant to connect Green Corridor to BF
AWP commercial corridor; develop form-
based Smart Code for the area and assist
with engineering design for Fairfax Blvd.
2011 grant and low-interest loan for
demolition, cleanup, infrastructure, and
development preparation of former Kidde
Foundry brownfield site (to become
Powhatan Place)
Multiple brownfield sites assessed under
three different assessment grants
Cleanup grant for Kidde Foundry site (to
become Powhatan Place)
Technical assistance for green infrastructure
on brownfields in the project area
2009 Transportation Enhancement grant for
Third Ave. streetscape improvements
Safe Routes to School grant for Ranson
Elementary - Phases I, II, and III
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
funds for sth Ave. streetscape and road
improvements between Charles Town and
Ranson
Jefferson County-Ranson-Charles Town
Urban Tree Canopy study and tree planting
events
Administration and constructions funds for
Fairfax Blvd.
Engineering and construction of Fairfax
Blvd. (to include innovative stormwater
management techniques)
Engineering and construction of Fairfax
Blvd. (to include innovative stormwater
management techniques)
Estimated
amount or
value
$1.4M
$45M
$595K
$200K
$35K
$300K
$268K
$625K
$45K
$2.2M
$5M
$2.5M
CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
     Examples of Project Area Investments and Leveraging That Helps Further Implementation of
     BF AWP Pilot Projects
         Grantee
Source of investment for
 implementation funds/
       assistance
     What assistance/funds have or w
       accomplish in the project area
Estimated
amount or
  value
       Ranson, WV
       (continued)
                      EPA Office of
                      Sustainable
                      Communities
                         2011 Building Blocks technical assistance to
                         study preferred growth area
EPA and National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation
                      Northern WV
                      Brownfields Assistance
                      Center
2012 grant to Charles Town and Ranson
to do green infrastructure design at Evitts
Run Park

FOCUS West Virginia grant for Powhatan
Place redevelopment study
                                              $15K
  $100K
                                                                       $5K
   In Ranson, WV, the city was able to leverage the EPA grant for their BF AWP project alongside grant funding they received through
   the 2010 joint U.S. DOT TIGER II/U.S. HUD Community Challenge Grant. The city wants to incorporate a variety of green infrastructure
   stormwater management approaches throughout the public rights of way and on brownfield properties.
   Graphics credit: Stromberg/Garrigan & Associates
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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                                     BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                         Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Examples of Project Area Investments and Leveraging That Helps Further Implementation of
BF AWP Pilot Projects
Grantee
Atlanta, GA
Source of investment for
implementation funds/
assistance
DOT TIGER V
U.S. HUD Neighborhood
Stabilization Program
and match from
the Annie E. Casey
Foundation
U.S. HUD Lead Hazard
Control Program
U.S. HUD Green and
Healthy Homes
Invest Atlanta
EPA Brownfields
EPA Brownfields
EPA Brownfields
EPA Brownfields
What assistance/funds have or will
accomplish in the project area
Grant awarded for portions of the
Southwest Trail
Enabled city to purchase blighted/
abandoned homes within the project area
Funds to Atlanta to evaluate and eliminate
lead hazards in homes and provide job
training
Funds to the Center for Working Families
to help evaluate lead hazards in homes and
provide job training
Funds to make facade improvements around
the BeltLine Trail
Use of RLF for cleaning up brownfields
around the BeltLine Trail
Environmental Workforce Development
and Job Training grant to the Center for
Working Families
TBAs for three properties within the
project area: Create economic development
site for the Pittsburgh community and
community garden along Atlanta BeltLine;
use supplemental TBA for the Boulevard
Crossing site to expand soccer fields
Technical assistance for manufacturing
business needs-focused workshop in project
area (part of the Investing in Manufacturing
Communities Partnership)
Estimated
amount or
value
$18M
$4M
$2.1 M
$8ooK
$5M
$8soK
$3
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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Examples of Project Area Investments and Leveraging That Helps Further Implementation of
BF AWP Pilot Projects
Grantee
Kansas City, MO
Source of investment for
implementation funds/
assistance
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USAGE)
EPA Re-Powering
America
EPA Brownfields
EPA Brownfields
U.S. Department of
Defense
Kansas City Community
Gardens
City of Kansas City, MO
(KCMO)
KCMO
KCMO
KCMO
What assistance/funds have or will
accomplish in the project area
Blue River Confluence Study of the Brush
Creek/Blue River Confluence area, which
runs along the western side of the BF AWP
area and impacts several wetlands and
riparian areas within the Municipal Farm
Technical assistance feasibility study done by
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
to determine the applicability of using
biomass on several sites in the project area
TBAs for sites in project areas 1, 2, 4, 7, 12,
13, and 19
Technical assistance for a federal/state/
regional/local partners implementation
workshop in conjunction with the BF AWP
plan development
National Guard Armory expansion
Eastwood Hills Community Gardens:
Oversight and development of the 1-acre
community garden area (106 plots available
to residents)
Eastwood Hills Community Garden: Funding
to KC Community Gardens for portions of
the Eastwood Hills Community Gardens
Public improvements (site clearing, water
line, etc.) to Area 7 for BoysGrow farm site
Abatement and demolition of the former
Municipal Correctional Institute
Potter's Field cemetery delineation -
geophysical survey
Estimated
amount or
value
$50K
$35K
$233K
$20K
Approx.
$2M
$3K
$6gK
$22K
$28sK
$25K
 CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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                                               BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                     Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Two other examples are the Chicopee, MA, West End BF AWP project (led by the Pioneer Valley Planning
Commission) and the Blue Greenway project from the San Francisco Parks Alliance, CA.

 • A wide variety of resources have been invested to help make elements of the West End Brownfields plan
   for Chicopee, MA, a reality:

     o  Federal resources from HUD programs supporting project improvements in the area total more than
        $2.yM as a result of the city directing HOME Investments Partnership, Community Development
        Block Grant, and Sustainable Communities funding to the area. EPA brownfield resources of $32sK
        and U.S. Department of Energy block grant funds of $128K also contributed to area improvements.

     o  At the state  level, Massachusetts Department of Transportation investments  in the project area total
        more than $ioM, and Mass Development investments include more than $2ioK.

     o  Locally, the City of Chicopee has invested nearly $8ooK for area demolition and LED streetlight
        improvements.

     o  Private funding from various organizations, such as the downtown business association, developer,
        Urban Land  Institute, Chicopee Neighborhood Development Corporation, affordable housing trust,
        and low-income housing tax credits total $6.yM.

 • San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA) is using several sources and partnerships to bring significant
   investment to the Blue Greenway:

     o  A local bond measure that passed in 2012 (Proposition B, the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks
        bond) included $345M for waterfront open spaces. Of that amount, $16M is going to the Blue
        Greenway for creating part of the bike/pedestrian path and some green space along the way. SFPAs
        work in developing the brownfields area-wide plan was the basis for this $16M investment.

     o  By working closely with the City of San Francisco Department of the Environment, SFPA has
        also been able to leverage EPA brownfield cleanup funds and targeted brownfield assessments
        for key properties along the Blue Greenway. These brownfield investments are estimated to be
        approximately $475K.

     o  Using the results of EPA site assessments, the City of San Francisco, the Trust for Public  Land, and
        private partners are in  the process of considering which brownfield sites (or portions of sites) along
        the Blue Greenway should be secured for parks, open space, and residential development.

     o  By working with the City of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the Trust for Public
        Land, SFPA submitted  a competitive grant application to the California Strategic Growth Council for
        the development of detailed designs for one of the key trail and recreational properties along the
        Blue Greenway.
     CROSS-PROJECT THEME 6: MAXIMIZE RESOURCES THROUGH TARGETED PROJECT AREA INVESTMENTS AND LEVERAGING

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
   Cross-Project  Theme  7= Maintain Strong Project
   Management Throughout the Project
   With all of the activities underway during a BF AWP process, the entire BF AWP project requires strong,
   committed project management and attention to detail.
   Getting organized early on and staying organized throughout will help you manage all of the elements of the
   project, including maximizing community participation; keeping up with regular project advisory and project
   partner meetings; completing existing conditions research on the environment, market, and infrastructure;
   developing project priorities; and working with partners to create implementation strategies.
      Project Management Basics

       •  Set up a recurring schedule and hold regular (e.g., biweekly) project meetings or conference calls with
         the members of the project team. Frequent meetings with the project team, including any contractors
         that are helping with the effort, is important to get and keep momentum behind the project.

       •  Use pictures of the project area to tell the story of the community history and current challenges.
         Include renderings that illustrate the community's vision for revitalization.

       •  If the BF AWP project overlaps with other brownfield grants or a related effort in the project area,
         closely coordinate on both efforts to determine how they can complement each other.

       •  Closely follow federal and local procurement rules if selecting contractors to assist with the BF AWP
         project. Ensure that the procurement actions are documented in the project files.

       •  Document the entire BF AWP process. Documentation will help you communicate the project goals
         and  achievements. For example:

          o  Video: Documenting the community brownfields charrette  process with a video can serve two
             purposes: (1) it can help you document the charrette process itself, and (2) it can provide an
             excellent way for others to visualize the project.

          o  Photos: Document the public meetings with photos that can later be used to illustrate the
             community engagement process and serve as photos for newspaper articles.

          o  Record Interviews: Recorded radio interviews can be posted to social media sites.
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 7: MAINTAIN STRONG PROJECT MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT

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                                               BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                    Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Specific Lessons Learned from BF AWP Pilot Projects

 •  Keep the project on track: The BF AWP process should maintain a focus on creating an area-wide plan
   for reusing key brownfield sites and developing implementation strategies for the area-wide plan. Do not
   try to have the project encompass too many other items. Regularly revisit the project focus to remind all
   members of the project team to keep the focus on brownfields cleanup and  reuse.

 •  Advertise available project positions to, and recruit involvement from, the affected community:
   Any advertisements for open positions (paid or volunteer) for the project team should reach possible
   candidates from the community being served, as well as wider professional circles.
   Carefully select the contracted members of the
   project team and consider how to involve community
   members in that process: One or more professional
   contractors may be needed on the project team, especially
   if they bring the skills necessary to perform any technical
   work and develop site renderings/schematics. When
   reviewing qualifications and proposals submitted by
   interested contractors, consider setting up a proposal
   review committee who can rank the project proposals
   based on a list of criteria that your organization  sets.
   Include documentation to ensure that there is no conflict
   of interest among the review panel and the proposals
   being reviewed. Involving savvy and respected community
   members in the selection of the project contractors will
   add to project transparency and provide an additional
   opportunity for meaningful involvement.
Pilot Project Example

In Tulsa, OK, the BF AWP project
team members included a small
group of contractors - one was
a local expert, another was a
national expert, and one was a
design expert. The grantee felt
that this combination was very
useful because together, the
contractors brought a broad set of
skills to their project.
   Manage expectations by preparing and sharing an outline of the draft brownfields planning and
   implementation strategy document early on: About halfway into the project, the project team should
   prepare a strong outline that describes all of the project elements that will be included in the document
   that contains the brownfields area-wide plan and implementation strategies. Share the document with key
   partners early on for their input, and include it in the outreach materials to the community so they know
   what to expect in the final plan. Use the outline as a guide for prioritizing and completing the activities that
   need to be done to finalize the document.
                    CROSS-PROJECT THEME 7: MAINTAIN STRONG PROJECT MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
       Use templates for repeated project management tasks to help manage and document activities:
       Developing templates for repeated project management tasks can help you be more efficient and serve as
       a reference for the project team. Examples of templates that could be useful to develop early on are:

        o  Meeting minutes: Meeting minutes will be an invaluable reference over and over again because they
           document what occurred in a meeting and identify next steps and responsibilities.

        o  Meeting attendance sheets: Attendance sheets help to  segment communications lists of project
           stakeholders so that you can maintain frequent contact via emai.

        o  Volunteer form: For any volunteers who are interested  in helping with the project, a volunteer form
           can document their interests, contact information, and  provide  an understanding of how they will
           participate in the project.
   Members of the project team document the ideas and input generated by stakeholders in Phoenix, AZ (at left), and Communities for a
   Better Environment (Huntington Park, CA).
   Photo credits: Left: City of Phoenix, AZ, Right: CBE
  CROSS-PROJECT THEME 7: MAINTAIN STRONG PROJECT MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT

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                                               BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                    Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
Conclusion
Communities with brownfield sites already know that cleaning up and revitalizing these properties takes
creativity, dedication, and a lot of hard work.

Because resources for remediating and redeveloping brownfield sites are typically delivered site by site, the
affected community is not always given an opportunity to consider the collective burden of multiple sites when
they are concentrated within a neighborhood, downtown, or local commercial or industrial corridor. An area-
wide planning process will help the community approach the multiple challenges presented by a concentration
of brownfields in a more organized and targeted manner. Working with community members and the range of
local partners to envision how these brownfields should be reused, as well as doing research around the area's
existing conditions, will result in a community plan and implementation strategy for brownfields cleanup and
area revitalization. Using a BF AWP process is a valuable opportunity to build local ownership and commitment
around a shared vision for the area's  cleanup and redevelopment.

The 23 BF AWP grantees shared these key lessons learned and project advice, which may be helpful to other
communities facing similar brownfields challenges. The pilot communities were able to demonstrate the value
of engaging key partners and local stakeholders over the long term, and they increased their local capacity to
leverage additional investment and attention into the brownfields project area. The grantees are now focused
on keeping momentum around the BF AWP project by maintaining involvement with the community and
attracting the necessary investment and project resources to implement their plans.

As each area-wide plan reflects the long-term brownfields revitalization goals of the community, full
implementation of the plan will take  will many years. All 23 pilot communities will need to continue to leverage
the BF AWP process by seeking and  coordinating resources to improve the brownfields project area. The
continuing nature of these projects reinforces that the community needs to make incremental progress on
implementation over the long term.
                                                                                      CONCLUSION

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
  Appendix: Brief Descriptions of the Project Areas for the
  23 Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Pilots
BF AWP Pilot Project Area Description
Atlanta, GA
Aurora, CO
Cleveland, OH
Communities for a Better
Environment
Huntington Park, CA
Confederated Tribes of the
Colville Reservation, WA
Denver, CO
Desarrollo Integral del Sur,
Inc. (DISUR)
Penuelas and Guayanilla, PR
Goshen, IN
Numerous brownfields in five redevelopment locations (tax allocation
districts) in southwest Atlanta, connected by commercial and
industrial corridors.
Website: www.atlantabrownfieldprograms.com

Brownfields reuse in the western half of the Montview corridor in
northwest Aurora in an area known as Westerly Creek Village.
Website: https://www.auroragov.org/DoingBusiness/CityPlanning/
PlansandStudies/WesterlyCreekVillage/index.htm

Kinsman and Lower Buckeye neighborhoods located in the Cleveland
Opportunity Corridor. Historic industrial uses have resulted in the area's
many brownfield sites.
Huntington Park Brown-to-Green project area, which was home to
heavy manufacturing operations until the 19605.
Document: www.cbecal.org/wp-content/uploads/2oiV2/CBE-
Huntington-Park-Brown-to-Green-Reporti.pdf

Two brownfield sites within approximately 1 mile of each other in the
Nespelem District of the Colville Indian Reservation.
South Platte River Brownfields Area, a quarter-mile buffer along the
11-mile riverfront.
Website: www.denvergov.org/southplatte
A 3,5
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                                              BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
                                                   Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
BF AWP Pilot
Ironbound Community
Corporation

Newark, NJ
Project Area Description
The Ironbound community, in the East Ward of Newark, which includes
residential and recreational areas. Many manufacturing operations have
closed, leaving behind brownfields and deteriorating infrastructure.

Website: httD://eastferrvrevitalization.wordDress.com
Jacobs Center for
Neighborhood Innovation

San Diego, CA
The Village at Market Creek, an area with multiple brownfield sites in the
center of the Diamond Neighborhoods of southeastern San Diego.

Document: www.iacobscenter.org/ pdf/BF AWP.odf
Kalispell, MT
The Core Revitalization Area (CRA), located in downtown Kalispell.
The CRA generally follows historic railroad tracks and contains
multiple brownfields.

Website: httD://kalisDell.com/communitv  economic development
Kansas City, MO
The Municipal Farm property in the Eastwood Hills neighborhood. The
property encompasses several municipal institutional sites that have
either known or perceived environmental risks.

Document: www.kcmo.org/idc/groups/cco/documents/
citvcommunicationsoffice/sustainablereuseplan.pdf
Lowell, MA
The Tanner Street Corridor, which is mostly heavy and light industrial,
with some commercial and residential areas on the periphery.
Monaca, PA
Four brownfields areas in the communities of Midland, Monaca,
Aliquippa, and Coraopolis that lie along the 45-mile Ohio River Corridor.
The four areas include many brownfield sites, which are primarily former
steel mill-related and small-scale industrial lands.

Website: www.ohioriverbrownfields.com
New Bern, NC
The Five Points neighborhood, an area adjacent to the city's downtown
historic district. The neighborhood contains multiple brownfields,
including abandoned gas stations, former dry cleaners, and many
underutilized buildings.

Website: www.newbernrenaissance.com
Ogdensburg, NY
Waterfront properties along the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie rivers.
The majority of the city's brownfields and vacant lands lie on this
waterfront.
       APPENDIX: BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROJECT AREAS FOR THE 23 BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS

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BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS
Ideas and Lessons Learned for Communities
BF AWP Pilot
Phoenix, AZ

Pioneer Valley Planning
Commission, MA

Ranson, WV
Roanoke, VA


Sanford, ME
San Francisco Parks
Alliance
San Francisco, CA
Tulsa, OK

Project Area Description
The Del Rio Area located in the center of Phoenix along Rio Salado.
Within the project area lays the i6o-acre Del Rio Landfill site, a high-
priority brownfields site for the city.
Website: https://www.phoenix.gov/oep/environment/land/
brownfields/delrio
Downtown Chicopee's West End neighborhood, once home to major
manufacturers of textiles, munitions, and shoes. These former uses have
left many brownfield sites in the area.
Website: https://www.chicopeema.gov/page.php?id=2OQQ':?

The 1.5-mile Commerce Corridor along the Ranson-Charles Town
border. The corridor contains numerous brownfield sites.
Website: http://ransonrenewed.com
The Rai Corridor Planning Area, which includes portions of four
neighborhoods. Economic shifts and changes in transportation have left
many brownfields and other underused, vacant, or abandoned properties,
many of which are located near densely populated residential areas.
Website: www.roanokeva.gov/8R2R6A8Doo62AF-37/vwContentBvKev/
N28DWLVZ122BTFKEN

The Mill Yard located in downtown Sanford. This area was once the
economic heart of the town and has a history of extensive industrial use
that left behind brownfield sites.
The Blue Greenway, a 13-mile corridor along the city's southeastern
waterfront, where open spaces will be linked together for new
recreational opportunities. The area includes brownfields from heavy
industrial uses, sewer treatment plants, and power-generation facilities.
Website: http://bluegreenway.org
The Evans/Fintube property and surrounding communities in northern
Tulsa. This area includes many brownfields in the form of abandoned
structures, vacant lots, and active industrial facilities that are adjacent to
residential and recreational areas.
Website: www.citvoftulsa.org/our-citv/economic-development/
brownfields. aspx
 APPENDIX: BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PROJECT AREAS FOR THE 23 BROWNFIELDS AREA-WIDE PLANNING PILOTS

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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
                              www.epa.gov

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