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Where there Is Chaos there Is Opportunity Across the country, brownfields stand like statues that memorialize poor business decisions and reflect an organization’s inability to assimilate change. Vacant underutilized commercial/industrial properties aren’t born — they happen when businesses lose touch with their customers, succumb to the lure of cheap labor, misread markets and let technological advancements pass them by. Smokestacks, once icons of industrial prosperity, now stigmatize an area and stand as relics of a bygone era. Like it or not, many of the hard-core manufacturing jobs have moved away from the U.S. and Canada, and, as Bruce Springsteen sings, “They’re closing down the textile mill along the railroad tracks, foreman says these jobs ain’t coming back.” The loss of these manufacturing jobs has created economic chaos in many communities. But where there is chaos, there is opportunity. Many brownfields are located along harbors, lakes and rivers. At the turn of the century, manufacturing plants were sited in waterfront locations, not for the view, but to use the water to fuel industrial operations and provide an accessible, low-cost outlet for industrial waste disposal. Today, society and the market demand a higher and better use for waterfront properties, and we all want a cleaner environment. People want to live and play by the water, and of course, practice our county’s national pastime — shopping! This change in use has created opportunity and a chance for waterfront municipalities to stage an economic rebound as they maximize the benefit of this natural resource. The NBA, in conjunction with its event partner, the International Council of Shopping Centers, is holding a conference dedicated to redeveloping brownfields located along rivers. We hope that this will become an annual event that moves around the country each year. This issue of Brownfield News is dedicated to waterfront redevelopment. The stories presented in this issue expose its key challenges and solutions. Community columnist Kelly Novak explains why cities are recognizing the benefits of waterfront redevelopments that cater to the “simpler things in life” as well as the need for economic growth. Our U.S. EPA department discusses how the Portfields Federal Partnership is enhancing our understanding of the role that brownfield redevelopment can play in revitalizing our nation’s port communities. Technical guru Ken Kastman raises the difficult technical issues involved in cleaning up in and around our waterways. Our regional reports continue the theme with case studies highlighting waterfront redevelopment successes. A 60-acre live, work and play community rising along prime waterfront property outside of Philadelphia is described in our Eastern Report. The benefits of reinventing Great Lakes coastlines, along with two examples of how Wisconsin projects used available tools, are explored and an intensive public participation process kicking off the redevelopment of a Kansas City site is outlined in our Midwestern Report. How a riverfront once cut off by a six-lane highway was transformed to an outdoor living room for Louisville residents is discussed in our Southern Report. In this issue, we also welcome executive editor Sue Boyle to Brownfield News. Sue has assumed leadership positions with the magazine and the National Brownfield Association through a unique arrangement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. We welcome her talents and many years of experience to both endeavors. BFN Enjoy the read! Robert V. Colangelo, Publisher Sue Boyle, Executive Editor |
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Brownfield News is the official publication of the
National Brownfield Association |
© 2006 Environomics Communications. 5440 North Cumberland Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60656
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