Revitalizing Our Communities

During its 300-year history, Center City Philadelphia has lost its connections to its two rivers; railroads, industry, and expressways act as barriers between citizenry and water.  Over the last 15 years, Philadelphia has undertaken the painstaking process of recapturing the Schuylkill and Delaware River waterfronts, with the goal of creating people-friendly and accessible greenways for residents and visitors.  Experts who are directly involved with the redevelopment of the waterfronts tell the story of challenges to and creative solutions for reviving two

This session explores what nonprofits, state and local partners, institutional property owners, and developers are doing to keep the brownfield revitalization momentum alive through years of economic challenges, by way of partnership building and community education.  Local and state government, community development groups, institutional land owners, affordable housing organizations, and other partners are persevering to formulate a vision, rebuild communities, and redevelop formerly utilized sites in the most challenged brownfield-affected communities. 

Philadelphia is a historic city responding to many challenges, including suburban development that threatens to decimate the core city.  Faced with severe budget limitations (a universal reality), it created a vast network of community-based volunteer organizations that have brought about rebirth through volunteerism and community outreach.  Some of those organizations include the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, and Philadelphia Water Department.  Philadelphia has many tales to tell about how it is

EPA's Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program helps guide communities through the cleanup and redevelopment process at brownfield properties.  Communities and municipalities often need help in understanding the technical issues associated with brownfields projects – issues such as: deciphering technical reports; realizing health impacts and risks; financing brownfields projects; understanding science or environmental policy; learning how best to involve the community; and working with local, state or federal governments.  The TAB program provides

Join us to learn more about the latest in housing initiatives; North Berwick Woolen Mill Redevelopment Project, North Berwick, Maine (Region 1 Winner) Use of diverse funding sources, green building techniques, adaptive reuse and preservation of historic mill structure provides vitally needed affordable senior housing; Former Magic Market/Gould Battery Site, Trenton, NJ (Region 2 Winner) Shining example of community involvement, multiple public programs, leveraged funding and overcoming obstacles to develop a community of new, energy-efficient homes, restored streams

Learn how environmental leadership can bring real success at challenging remediation sites;

As many as 250 closed or closing auto manufacturing and supplier plants are blighting communities throughout America with brownfields, lost jobs and tax base, and economic disinvestment. 

The cleanup and revitalization of brownfield properties along city waterfronts are significant steps in re-opening those waterfronts and adjacent urban waters to public access, beneficial environmental uses, and economic growth. 

Many times the best use of a vacant or underutilized property is to create community amenities for the benefit of the public.  This session explores what a few nonprofit and municipal developers have done to create community amenities for its residents and visitors.

The average time to complete a brownfield project is 13 months, with an average return of $17.50 per dollar invested.  The State of Delaware has developed innovative tools to create a predictable, efficient, and cost-effective brownfield program.  Find out how Delaware has streamlined its program to create an atmosphere where, even in a down economy, brownfield projects continue to thrive and revitalize communities.