Central City Alliance

Brownfield Redevelopment

Jan 27, 2002

A meeting to discuss the fundamentals of Brownfield Rede-velopment took place at the McAnoy Business Center in December. Lisa Szymecko, Project Engineer MSU -Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic Center for Hazardous Substance Research, and Robert Terry, Team Specialist - Michigan Economic Development Corporation gave the definitions, mechanisms and financing options of Brownfields.

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or under-used re-sidential, industrial and commercial facilities where environmental, eco-nomic and social obstacles hinder use and redevelopment.

Under this definition, any property located within a Brownfield core community, like Central City, qualifies for several redevelopment grants and other financial incentives. Brownfield redevelopments increases (RENEWS) property value and local tax base, reduces the need to develop greenfields, uses existing infrastructure (cost savings), mitigates public health and safety concerns, and improves the community image. For further information, contact:

Michigan Department of Environment Quality Environmental Response Division
Program Information and Funding Unit (517) 373-4800 of log on to their web site at
www.deq.state.mi.us/erd/brownfield.