The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines brownfields as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” These properties are often abandoned land and/or structures once utilized in the energy exploration, steel production, and manufacturing industries. Brownfields can also be former gasoline stations, dry cleaners, vehicle repair shops, foundries, rail yards, or even households.
Brownfield Issues
- A property may be initially identified as a brownfield based on real or perceived contamination.
- Prospective participants in the redevelopment process, including developers, financial lenders, and investors, may view properties where environmental contamination may have occurred as high risk.
- Properties where industrial activities have taken place that utilize chemicals or heavy metals are frequently seen as unpredictable development ventures.
- Consequently, brownfield properties are often avoided until an environmental assessment is conducted that clearly defines any environmental issues and remediation costs.
Benefits of Redevelopment
- The remediation and reuse of these properties stimulates additional investment.
- Underutilized industrial and commercial properties have economic value to a community, and they can function as a catalyst for additional development.
- These properties typically have access to existing infrastructure (roads, sewer, etc.), reducing development costs.
- Redevelopment will remove the stigma of blight, increase property values, create job opportunities, and enhance the public and environmental health of the area while putting the properties back into productive use.
- Redeveloping underutilized industrial and commercial properties can improve the social, economic, and physical health of a community.
- The process, however, can be complicated.
Responsibilities
Division Goals
A major responsibility of the Brownfield Division is to partner with community developers in search for areas that may be suitable for future economic development.
In addition, environmental grants are pursued and managed by this office. Current grants and/or loans include:
EPA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Provides low-interest loans to eligible entities to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites contaminated with hazardous substances and/or petroleum.
RLF Process:
- What to Expect: see the RLF Major Tasks List
- Expect 6 to 8 months for the entire process from site eligibility determination to loan closeout
How to apply:
- Determine if your site is eligible for cleanup?
- Complete the RLF Eligibility Checklist and submit to:
Dwan Austin, City of Chattanooga
Brownfield Coordinator
Sam Saieed, Southeast Tennessee Development District
Grant Manager
- Site eligible for cleanup? If yes, submit the RLF Loan Application to:
Dwan Austin, City of Chattanooga
Brownfield Coordinator
Sam Saieed, Southeast Tennessee Development District
Grant Manager
- Expect 6 to 8 months for the entire process from site eligibility determination to loan closeout
EPA Assessment Grant
Provides funding for brownfield inventories, planning, environmental assessments (Phase I and Phase II), and community outreach. Applicants for this grant will be awarded based on planned use of the site and available funds.
Please submit the completed form to:
Dwan Austin, City of Chattanooga
Brownfield Coordinator
Sam Saieed, Southeast Tennessee Development District
Grant Manager
EPA Cleanup Grant
Provides funding to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites owned by the City of Chattanooga. Click here to see projects completed and/or underway. Check Our Cleanup Grants.
A major responsibility of the Brownfield Division is to partner with community developers in search for areas that may be suitable for future economic development. In addition, environmental grants are pursued and managed by this office.
Leadership
Resources
- EPA Website: https://www.epa.gov/brownfields
- EPA Cleanups In My Community Map: https://map22.epa.gov/cimc/specific¶ms=SF_SITE_ID=0410686
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Website: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/environment.html