Common obstacles of urban brownfield redevelopment

As the demand for land increases to meet the needs of the expanding urban population, sustainable urban brownfield redevelopment is more important than ever. Despite its challenges, the benefits of restoring old commercial and industrial sites are undeniable.

Planning, overseeing and finalizing brownfield redevelopment often requires professional experience and expertise. This is why many municipalities enlist experts to guide them through the process.

After we discuss the challenges of urban brownfield redevelopment, we’ll explain how partnering with an expert can help municipalities yield more successful outcomes.

Challenges of urban brownfield redevelopment

Brownfields, characterized by actual or potential contamination, can include industrial sites, mining sites, municipal facilities, storage sites, transport facilities and, most often, abandoned and vacant properties.

Common obstacles of urban brownfield redevelopment

Environmental challenges:
- Identifying the presence of contaminants through an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). A high ratio of pollution to groundwater and soil, the presence of underground storage tanks (USTs) and the removal of industrial equipment significantly increase the scope of the cleanup and the difficulties of pollutant disposal.
- Designing a viable redevelopment plan incorporating preventative controls necessary to protect human health.
- Addressing low public awareness of environmental issues and regulations.

Financial challenges:
- Determining the varying cost of ESAs depending on the presence and type of contaminants, with high costs often deterring communities from brownfield redevelopment.
- Needing financial assistance, like loans, grants or tax credits.
- Lacking experience in applying for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brownfield grants and managing the funds, which can halt redevelopment plans.
- Determining the economic viability of redevelopment, which depends on the brownfield’s future profitability, is difficult.
- Determining other requirements related to grant funding (i.e. Administrative and National Environmental Policy Act requirements on federal funding outside the EPA Brownfields program) and understanding the level of municipal involvement once cleanup funding is granted.

Regulatory challenges:
- Complying with the ever-changing local and state codes, despite evolving considerations at the federal level.
- Gathering approved permits and other documents required for construction.
- Navigating regulatory challenges that can derail the timeline of a brownfield redevelopment project.

Community concerns:
- Engaging with key community stakeholders to spread and enrich the vision for cleanup and redevelopment while identifying a project champion such as a nonprofit organization, civic group or individual. Often, municipalities serve as the champions, which can strain staff.
- Developing a conceptual plan to guide the redevelopment is a requirement. While brownfields present challenges at every turn, knowing where the redevelopment is headed is important.
- Balancing the project to meet the community’s and the developer’s objectives.
- Addressing poor communication and lack of transparency, which can result in low public participation.
- Managing fragmented ownership of a brownfield site, which can complicate stakeholder involvement and lead to conflict over land-use decisions and development outcomes.

Additionally, there are technical and operational-related challenges, such as unclear cleanup standards, lack of risk assessment, lack of relevant land information, and at times, unwilling landowners.

Because urban brownfield redevelopment presents many challenges, municipalities often hire an expert to assist through every stage of the process.

Fehr Graham helps with urban brownfield redevelopment

At Fehr Graham, we are a team of highly experienced professionals who have helped communities and private entities redevelop brownfields since the 1970s. From conducting accurate and site-specific ESAs, soil and groundwater investigations, and UST assessments to coordinating cleanup programs and writing and managing grants, we are a one-stop solution for urban brownfield redevelopment challenges.

Our multidisciplinary team stays updated on EPA standards and conducts thorough due diligence while working closely with regulatory agencies. This allows us to identify funding sources for remediation projects. We aim to provide you with an all-inclusive solution for urban brownfield redevelopment needs.

To learn more about how Fehr Graham can help your community overcome the challenges of urban brownfield redevelopment, contact us or call 815.394.4700.

Ross Grimes, a Professional Geologist, focuses on remediating properties that have been longtime eyesores. He cares about the environmental future where he lives and works, so dilapidated properties with even the smallest potential are his passion. Ross is dedicated to doing the right thing every day and addresses challenges with innovation, sustainability and common sense. Contact him atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.