An Oregon Perspective on Brownfields Redevelopment
Steven Santos
Brownfields Redevelopment Coordinator
Oregon Economic & Community Development Department
Industrial and commercial development provides many beneficial things for society. It has given us timber and steel for our structures, chemicals for our medicines, and technology to make our daily lives more efficient. Often, the production of these items involve the use of hazardous substances. Before there was regulation, the customary use, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances often lead to a release of contamination into the environment.
Sites with facilities that used hazardous substances are commonly known as brownfields. These environmentally challenged properties are often overlooked for redevelopment because of the liability and cleanup cost concerns associated with them. However, as solutions for dealing with these issues evolve, brownfields are more frequently examined by governments, developers, perspective purchasers, and the public for redevelopment because of their potential to simultaneously provide economic opportunity, enhance environmental quality, and contribute to community livability.
Redeveloping brownfields provides economic opportunity by reusing sites at desirable locations with existing infrastructure and facilities. Redeveloping brownfields enhances environmental quality by removing or abating threats to environmental and human health receptors. Redeveloping brownfields contribute to community livability by removing eyesores and including citizens in end use planning and remedy selection. It is for these reasons that brownfield redevelopment epitomize the win/win/win ideals of sustainability.
Though sometimes challenging, brownfield redevelopment projects bring out the best in creativity and innovation. Oregon has served as a model for creating solutions to brownfield issues and is continuing to lead the way by engaging the more challenging brownfield issues presented in rural and economically distressed communities.
Join us and help turn Oregon's brownfields into economic opportunities and green spaces.
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Redemption of the Astoria Mill Site