Department of Planning and Development

Brownfields Redevelopment

What Are Brownfields?

Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underutilized properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. These sites typically are former industrial or commercial properties where operations may have resulted in environmental impairment. Brownfields not only pose environmental concerns but may also entail legal and financial burdens. Left vacant, contaminated sites can diminish values and threaten the economic viability of surrounding properties.

City-owned property on Mill Street, suitable for brownfields redevelopment.

What's being done?

In recent years, federal, state, and local governments have come to view the redevelopment of brownfields as a unique opportunity to solve many problems concurrently. Projects that target blighted communities increase employment opportunities, expand the tax base and reduce costs associated with preventing crime in these areas. Redevelopment also may reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals on idle properties, curb sprawl development by making more efficient reuse of land resources, improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and preserve open space and farmland. In short, brownfield redevelopment offers a cost-effective, environmentally beneficial approach to stimulating economic revitalization in communities throughout New York State.

Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program Grant

In April 2005, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation awarded the City of Newburgh a $197,500 Brownfields Opportunity Area grant (see press release [pdf]).

The Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program provides municipalities and community-based organizations with assistance to complete area-wide approaches to brownfields redevelopment planning. Through the BOA program communities will have opportunities to return dormant areas back to productive use and simultaneously restore environmental quality.

The BOA program enables local governments and community-based organization to:

• Address a range of problems posed by brownfield sites.
• Build consensus for future uses of strategic brownfield sites.
• Establish the multi-agency and private-sector partnerships necessary to leverage assistance and investments to revitalize neighborhoods and communities.

Other Resources

For more information, download and review the the New York State Brownfields Self Help/Financial Resources Manual (360 pages, 1.6 MB) provided by the Dept. of Environmental Conservation.