... EA~United States ..._~ Environmental Protection ,,. Agency 

Petroleum Brownfields: 


Selecting A Reuse Option 


Printed on Recycled Paper 
 

Foreword



TThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Underground 
 

Storage Tanks (OUST), in partnership with the EPA Office of Brownfields 
 

and Land Revitalization (OBLR) and local, state, tribal, federal, and other 

stakeholders, released the Petroleum Brownfields Action Plan: Promoting 

Revitalization And Sustainability (Action Plan) in October 2008 (www.epa. 

gov/oust/rags/petrobfactionplan.pdf). The Action Plan was developed to 

improve stakeholder communications; expand technical assistance to states, 

tribes, and local governments; explore potential policy changes; and build 

upon existing successes by expanding partnerships to address petroleumcontaminated properties. Since the release of the Action Plan, EPA developed 

Petroleum Brownfields: Developing Inventories (www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/ 

pbfdevelopinventories.pdf) and expanded and updated the EPA OUST Web 

site (www.epa.gov/oust/petroleumbrownfields) to better assist stakeholders. 

Now EPA, with the support and input of experienced stakeholders, has 

developed this new redevelopment tool, Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A 

Reuse Option, which is a catalogue of reuse ideas for petroleum-contaminated 

properties. 

This catalogue was developed to assist state, tribal, and local public officials, 

communities, developers, and nonprofit organizations in envisioning the 

wide array of reuse options they have for petroleum-contaminated properties. 

It presents examples of successful reuse projects, identifies best practices, 

and describes what is possible, the benefits of reuse, and general lessons 

learned in each case. The catalogue was created by compiling information 

from a variety of successful redevelopment projects from across the country. 

It presents case studies for commercial, public, residential, greenspace, and 

mixed-use reuse options. The extent and diversity of these successful projects 

provide a wealth of information to inspire and guide others in transforming 

petroleum brownfields into vibrant community assets. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 

Office of Underground Storage Tanks 

Washington, D.C. 20460 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option i 
Contents



Introduction........................................................................................................1



Starting Redevelopment In Your Community .....................................................2



Types Of Redevelopment ..................................................................................4



Commercial.........................................................................................5



Public ..................................................................................................9



Residential ..........................................................................................13



Greenspace.........................................................................................17



Mixed-use ............................................................................................21



Successful Redevelopment Approaches ...........................................................25



Moving Forward .................................................................................................28



ii Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Introduction



CCommunities across the country have learned to leverage 
 

the unique characteristics of brownfield properties 
 

contaminated with petroleum—such as former gas 

stations, auto body shops, industrial facilities, and 

commercial and residential properties—and convert these 

abandoned or blighted properties into beneficial new uses. 

Many of these characteristics, including property size, 

location, and prior use, give petroleum brownfields special 

appeal and flexibility. 

One common feature among many petroleum brownfields is size: a majority of these 

properties are former gas stations occupying relatively small parcels of land and are 

typically distributed throughout communities, along major roadways, or at intersections in 

neighborhoods. Small properties can be used for neighborhood amenities, including pocket 

parks (small urban parks frequently created on a single parcel), restaurants, senior housing, 

community centers, and much more. Properties can also be combined with other parcels, or 

assembled, to enable larger projects. Additionally, petroleum brownfields are often close to 

community resources and services. Redeveloping these properties will eliminate blight and 

create valuable spaces in which a community may live, work, or play. 

This catalogue provides examples of reuse and identifies strategies and tools that 

communities have found helpful in cleaning up and reusing petroleum brownfields. In the 

Types Of Redevelopment section, five reuse categories are outlined: commercial, public, 

residential, greenspace, and mixed-use. Case studies for each of these categories illustrate 

key components of redevelopment. Most case studies are brief and are intended primarily to 

introduce a new reuse option, but several are longer and include more details that users may 

find useful. In general, most of these redevelopment projects achieved success by: 

■		 Developing a strong vision for reuse; 

■ 	 Engaging the community to explore a property’s reuse potential; 

■		 Understanding and applying available financial and technical assistance resources; and 

■		 Building strong partnerships among the project team, community members, and 

regulatory agencies throughout the entire life of the project. 

In addition to these components, several trends proved useful in helping communities reduce 

costs, increase the value of properties, and be better stewards of the environment. These 

included: 

■		 Assembling several small properties or appending a small petroleum property to a 

larger, neighboring parcel; 

■		 Incorporating sustainable design into the redevelopment project; and 

■		 Considering an interim reuse for a property while planning for its permanent or longterm reuse. 

The removal of an underground storage tank 

A former service garage redeveloped 

into a car dealership 

Petroleum brownfield projects can benefit from a strong vision 

of the intended reuse. To ensure that the property reuse is 

consistent with environmental and cleanup requirements, 

communities are encouraged to work with their local, 

state, tribal, and federal regulatory partners. Outreach and 

collaboration can build support for a project and provide an 

avenue for ideas that can lead to new insights or designs that 

best suit local conditions. 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 1 
Starting Redevelopment In Your 

Community 

PPetroleum brownfields present excellent redevelopment opportunities. The following themes 

are part of the redevelopment process and are highlighted in several of the case studies 

that are presented in the Types Of Redevelopment section. Each petroleum brownfield 

redevelopment project is unique and so may address these themes differently. 

Abandoned gas station on tribal land in Santa Domingo, New Mexico 

Identifying Properties 

A list of petroleum brownfield properties, or an inventory, is an excellent place to begin 

evaluating petroleum-contaminated properties for cleanup and reuse. EPA’s Petroleum 

Brownfields: Developing Inventories (www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/pbfdevelopinventories.pdf) 

provides a comprehensive look at how to develop an inventory of sites, which may include 

vacant properties potentially impacted by petroleum contamination. Several states and local 

governments have begun compiling brownfields inventories; for more information regarding 

existing inventories in your community or state, interested parties can contact their state 

response program to obtain petroleum brownfields property information. 

Planning Preliminary Reuse Options 

While petroleum brownfields may present challenges to redevelopment, they also can create 

opportunities. Careful planning and attention is needed when planning for a property’s 

redevelopment. It is essential to make certain that the reuse vision meets the requirements of 

state and local regulatory programs. Individual property considerations such as parcel size, 

shape, and environmental conditions also need to be taken into account when determining the 

best reuse option. 

Working With Partners 

Partners are an invaluable component of redevelopment projects. Partners such as local, 

state, and tribal government agencies, business owners, community groups, and developers 

can help identify redevelopment opportunities to meet a community need or fill a private 

market niche. Opportunities to engage a variety of partners include: project planning and 

2 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
 

Deter ies will sho

outreach, neighborhood association meetings or newsletters, discussions with community 

leaders and community development corporations, interviews with residents and business 

owners of surrounding properties identified during an inventory process, or other mechanisms. 

Involving The Community 

Community support is a critical factor and an 

ongoing process in the success of a project. 

Getting the community engaged and excited in 

the planning process can help build momentum 

for the reuse and expand the network of investors, 

such as businesses looking to relocate or expand. 

In addition, discussions with community members 

can reveal historical or past use information about 

the property that can help guide the cleanup and 

redevelopment. An understanding of community 

Considering Redevelopment Early 

concerns can lead to design options that make the reuse more consistent with community 

needs, whether those are job creation, housing, commercial services, or public use. 

l d t d i ti th t 

Community celebration at the dedication of the 

Fruitvale Home and Family project 

Addressing redevelopment at the start of 

the process and considering reuse during 

the cleanup plan can be beneficial to the 

success of the project. It is important to 

work with state regulators early in the 

planning process to ensure that required 

cleanup levels will be achieved for the 

desired reuse. Understanding these 

goals will help address any problems 

in the planning phase and will allow for 

changes before the project is underway. 

For example, incorporating a vapor barrier and venting system as part of a building design and 

construction adds little to the overall development cost; however, recognizing the problem and 

installing such systems after construction is completed can be much more expensive. 

Also, creative planning for a project can allow for interim uses for a property before it arrives 

at its permanent reuse. If a redevelopment cannot occur immediately—either due to time 

required for land assembly, financing, or other reasons—an interim use may be appropriate. 

This could be the leasing of a building for storage or commercial use or the development of the 

land as a park or parking lot. Often these interim developments provide an important service 

to the community and may not be recognized as interim until a more beneficial use is identified 

and completed. For example, community groups might see vacant lots as opportunities for 

recreational sports fields as an interim use before long-term reuse plans are developed. 

Understanding Financing 

It is important to budget for assessment, 

cleanup, and redevelopment costs and to 

review a comprehensive list of available 

financing options. This will help determine the 

most advantageous combination of incentives. 

Taking into account eligibility requirements 

and the timing of public funds is essential to 

a project’s success. For instance, some grant 

programs require that a municipality own the 

property in order to be eligible for financing. 

Determining all cost categories will show which w which funding sources make sense, when they can

be used in the project, and what reporting and documentation will be required. 

Each petroleum brownfield project requires a different redevelopment blueprint. Each 

community and property is unique, and even properties in one community may be at different 

stages in the redevelopment process. Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option aims 

to encourage community discussion, professional planning, and sound decision making while 

considering viable reuse options for petroleum brownfields. 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 

d venting system as part of a building design and 

The City of Flagstaff, Arizona, is finding ways to utilize abandoned 

gas stations for interim use throughout the city 

Community members help construct a community gateway 

wildflower garden and rock wall as an interim use 

3 
Types Of Redevelopment



Petroleum bro l wnfields constitute a

significant part of the larger brownfields Puniverse. Communities throughout the unive 

signifi 

un 

country are beginning to share their 
 

successes and approaches to assessing, 
 

cleaning up, and reusing these properties.



While redevelopment costs and potential 
 

uses vary significantly based on property 
 

size and the local real estate market, 
 

properties can be redeveloped regardless of 
 

their location.



A broad range of redevelopment options have been successful at petroleum brownfield 

properties. Properties have been reused as parks, retail shops, small businesses, schools, 

firehouses, condominiums, community gardens, and even as alternative fueling stations. 

An abandoned gas station along Route 66 provides 

an opportunity for future redevelopment 

To protect human health and the environment, 

a stormwater collection system was developed at 

McMinnville, Oregon, abandoned asphalt plant 

When talking to communities about their 

petroleum brownfield redevelopment projects, 

it is clear that they are not deterred by the 

type of contamination, the size of the property, 

the location of the property, or the local real 

estate market. These petroleum brownfield 

stakeholders see blight in their community as a 

real opportunity to change the landscape. While 

these factors help identify the best reuse, none of 

them need to be considered barriers to success. 

This catalogue presents five categories of reuse: commercial, public, residential, greenspace, 

and mixed-use. These categories recognize the main types of redevelopment that have been 

successful on cleaned up petroleum brownfields across the nation. 

The remainder of this section focuses on each of the reuse categories. The discussion of each 

category includes important factors to consider, key components and lessons from similar 

petroleum brownfield reuse projects, and a summary of the benefits associated with the reuse 

category. Case studies aim to help petroleum brownfields stakeholders understand the variety 

of redevelopment options within a category. Each category contains several shorter additional 

project examples to illustrate the variety of projects possible. Redevelopment potential can 

be limited by specific property or regional characteristics, but focusing on the needs of the 

community, being creative, and being motivated are what made the projects presented 

successful. 

Five Redevelopment Options – Category Definitions 

Commercial – Property used for retail shops, offices, restaurants, and other 

businesses. This use of properties generates economic revenue for business and tax 

revenue and jobs for the community. 

Public – Property used by a local, state, or tribal government agency or a non-profit 

group to serve citizen needs. This can include libraries and schools, government 

offices, public infrastructure, or other services for the general public. 

Residential – Property used for residential purposes such as single-family homes, 

townhouses, condominiums, and apartments. 

Greenspace – Property used for sports facilities and fields, community parks, walking 

trails, open space, and other leisure activities and land conservation efforts. 

Mixed-use – Property used for multiple purposes. For example, a building with retail 

shops on the ground floor and condominiums on the upper floors. 

4 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

 –

Commercial 

Service And Employment Opportunities For Your Community – Commercial Reuse Options 

Examples Of 

Commercial 

Reuse Include: 

Bank 

Pharmacy 

Restaurant or 

coffee shop 

Shopping center 

Supermarket 

Offi ce building 

Light 

manufacturing 

business 

During the second half of the last century, many 

city centers and small-town downtown areas 

experienced a decline in population and core 

manufacturing activities. As populations shifted, 

downtown economic centers slipped into decline, 

and businesses, including gas stations, closed or 

relocated to undeveloped land along the interstate 

highways. The net result of this movement left 

neighborhoods in cities’ central business districts 

without services such as banks, retail facilities, 

and grocery stores. For the people remaining in 

these areas, petroleum brownfields represent an 

opportunity to regain some of these critical services. 

Across the country, petroleum-contaminated properties are being cleaned up and reused for 

large and small businesses to accommodate the trend of populations moving back to city centers. 

Communities are developing plans and strategies for the commercial redevelopment of petroleum 

brownfields to benefit the entire community by providing services and employment opportunities. 

Small businesses might find an old gas station property a perfect fit for a new bank, pharmacy, 

or restaurant. In addition, larger commercial and retail redevelopment opportunities can occur on 

larger petroleum brownfield properties or through the assembly of several smaller properties. 

Westminster, Colorado – Commercial Building 

Westminster was settled by pioneers in the mid-19th century, thanks to the nearby discovery of gold, and evolved into 

an agricultural-based community. Since that time, Westminster’s rich heritage led to the establishment of the Harris 

Park Historic District. Located within this district is the Neighborhood Building, a project viewed as the catalyst for 

future revitalization in the area. 

The Neighborhood Building property was formerly used as a bowling alley, an ice cream shop, and then as an 

automotive service station from the 1950s until the early 1980s. Leaking underground storage tanks forced city 

officials to remediate a plume of petroleum contamination under the property. The property was assessed using 

EPA Brownfields Assessment funding, and cleanup was financed and conducted through the Colorado Division of 

Oil and Public Safety under the state Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Program. Remediation includes 

soil excavation as well as soil remediation that will be completed one to three years after the completion date of 

the redevelopment. 

Continued... 

A former service station in Wood River, Nebraska, was 

redeveloped into a branch of Heritage Bank 

Former automotive service property was redeveloped into commercial/office space in Westminster, Colorado 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 5 
 

 

plants that help keep the store war

water retention “bioswales” in which plants filter rainwater before it runs off the site. 

plants that help keep the store warm in the wint 

New biofuels station in Eugene, Oregon 

Prior to initiating redevelopment activities, a market study was conducted to determine the needs of the community. 

The market study indicated that a commercial building would help to revitalize the historic downtown area. 

Redevelopment activities were integrated with the cleanup and resulted in the opening of the 12,000-square-foot 

commercial Neighborhood Building in the summer of 2008. 

The Neighborhood Building includes retail space on the first floor and office space on the second floor. Current 

tenants include the Colorado Rural Housing Development Corporation, a café, a massage therapist, a hair salon, 

and a real estate office. The entire project includes the assembly of three properties and offers a small courtyard 

area and seating areas for adjacent businesses and future adjacent residences. The redevelopment project 

spurred the development of 12 townhouses that are currently under construction. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ A market study to determine the most beneficial and feasible reuse was helpful to guide the 

redevelopment. 

■ The assembly of three parcels allowed more room for the redevelopment of a larger commercial 

building. 

■ The project was a gateway to redevelopment of the historic area of Westminster. 

Eugene, Oregon – Alternative Fueling Station 

Located along McVay Highway in the City of Eugene, a 0.6-acre 

former gas station was unused and an eyesore and hazard to 

the community due to contaminated soil and groundwater. The 

successful cleanup of the property resulted in the sustainable 

redevelopment of an alternative fueling station. Completed in 

August 2006, it is the first station of its kind in the country. The 

station sells SeQuential biofuels (including ethanol and biodiesel 

blends) and features photovoltaic panels above the pump stations 

that provide as much as half the station’s electricity needs. The 

convenience store has an “eco-roof” with soil and thousands of 

m in the winter and cool during the summer. The property also features storm 

Albertville, Alabama – Retail Small Business 

The City of Albertville, the Alabama Department of 

Environmental Management, EPA, and developers 

worked to turn the site of a former convenience 

store, gas station, and tractor sales business into 

a new Walgreens store. The commercial reuse 

demonstrates the viability of redevelopment 

opportunities in this small bedroom community 

outside of Huntsville. A Walgreens was redeveloped on a former petroleum brownfields property 

Kansas City, Missouri – Commercial Corridors 

A former petroleum brownfields property was redeveloped into 

the Coffee Break along Troost Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri 

In Kansas City, the city used EPA funding to develop a 

comprehensive inventory of petroleum brownfields along the 

Prospect and Troost commercial corridors. The city identified more 

than 250 petroleum brownfield properties within the targeted 

redevelopment areas. Using the inventory, the city was able to 

focus redevelopment efforts at prime locations. The successful 

redevelopment of former filling stations and garages provides hope 

to residents of depressed neighborhoods along Prospect and Troost 

avenues. For example, along Southwest Boulevard, now referred 

to as Restaurant Row, former gas stations have found new lives 

as restaurants that have bolstered economic development and job 

creation in the community. 

6 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
t t t

Inglewood, California – 
 

Commercial Corridor And Retail Center
 


Th C B l d id The Century Boulevard corridor serves as one of the major transportation corridors to Los Angeles International f th j ti 

More than $1 million in assessment and cleanup funding from the 

California Orphan Site Cleanup Account was used at Village at Century 

The Village at Century project in 

Inglewood assembled 16 acres of 

blighted and vacant properties into 

a 193,000-square-foot commercial 

development—the first of a twophase, 51-acre redevelopment 

project to revitalize the Darby-Dixon 

neighborhood. 

Airport. From 1950 to the early 1990s, the area was a high-density residential development; however, due to 

the increase in noise pollution from the airport and lack of local investment, the area became rundown and 

underutilized. The Inglewood City Council adopted the Century Redevelopment Project Area to eradicate blight 

and address issues related to lack of investment, dilapidated housing stock, high crime rates, and needed 

traffic and circulation improvements around the Century Corridor. One of the primary project goals was to work 

in partnership with residents, the business community, public agencies, and community organizations in the 

revitalization of the project area. A number of public meetings were held to hear the collective concerns and 

recommendations of the community. In a collaborative effort, the Inglewood Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles 

World Airports, and the Federal Aviation Administration worked together with the community to improve conditions 

along Century Boulevard. 

An assessment of the project area discovered that a portion of the property’s soil was contaminated with high 

levels of volatile hydrocarbons from leaking underground storage tanks on several properties. The installation of 

a remediation system substantially reduced the contamination in the soil to levels below those established by the 

California Regional Water Quality Board. 

The California Orphan Site Cleanup Account (OSCA) program’s funding—more than $1 million in assessment 

and cleanup grants toward the $32 million project—influenced national retailers to contribute to and support the 

redevelopment project. The Village at Century includes eight major retail spaces as well as a number of smaller 

shops. It is estimated that the retail center area creates approximately 500 full- and part-time jobs and generates 

over $600,000 of tax income to the city annually. Continued... 

The Village at Century commercial redevelopment 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 7 
The Village at Century has dramatically improved the character of the area and continues to encourage new 

investment. The project resulted from the partnership of local, regional, and federal government entities and 

private developers. Perhaps most importantly, it displayed the ability of Inglewood citizens and their partners to 

create job opportunities, offer residents greater shopping diversity, reduce the overall crime rate, and enhance the 

economic viability and quality of life for those who live and/or work in Inglewood. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ A dedication to outreach by the city council helped to ensure community support for the project. 

■ It is estimated that the retail center will create approximately 500 full- and part-time jobs and is 

expected to generate over $600,000 of tax income to the city annually. 

■ The OSCA program’s funding influenced national retailers to commit to the project. 

■ There are numerous benefits of public and private partnerships. They can promote the coordination 

of regulatory programs, the streamlining of administrative procedures, and a multi-stakeholder 

examination of cleanup solutions and risk sharing. 

Reno-Sparks, Nevada – Tribal Commercial Development 

Removal of petroleum-contaminated soil in Reno-Sparks, Nevada 

The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) applied for 

a loan through the Nevada Division of Environmental 

Protection (NDEP) in order to address petroleum 

contamination on a 22-acre former industrial 

property. In November 2007, the NDEP loaned 

$950,000 from its EPA Revolving Loan Fund 

grant to the RSIC to address petroleum and lead 

contamination at the property. Cleanup included the 

removal of about 1,000 tons of contaminated soil 

and allowed RSIC to pursue a risk-based closure 

through NDEP. The property will be redeveloped into 

Three Nations Plaza, the future home of a WalMart Super Center. It is expected to generate much 

needed jobs and revenue for the community. The 

project is estimated to produce about $5-6 million in 

tax revenue a year, which will be used to repay the 

bonds for a new Tribal Health Center, fund a new 

restitution center, and enhance essential government 

services such as public safety, education, human 

services, and community development. 

Summary Of The Benefi ts Of Commercial 

Redevelopment 

Commercial redevelopment projects are often the economic engines for a neighborhood or community. The reuse 

of former petroleum brownfields for retail and commercial businesses employs workers, increases the tax base 

for the community, and expands redevelopment to neighboring portions of the community that are in need of 

environmental and economic revival. 

An abandoned property impacted by petroleum often has traits that can make it an excellent location for a 

small business. These traits include relatively small size properties that easily accommodate small businesses; 

prominent locations, often a corner lot on a busy thoroughfare; and existing infrastructure. In addition, state, local, 

and tribal governments have created incentives to foster the cleanup and reuse of these properties, including tax 

or other financial incentives. Retail and commercial redevelopment on former petroleum brownfields can create a 

positive economic impact on historic downtown areas, enabling cities to position themselves to take full advantage 

of future opportunities as redevelopment efforts expand to other portions of the community. 

8 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Petroleum Brownfi elds: Selecting A Reuse Option 9

Across the country, petroleum 

brownfi elds are being redeveloped 

for community or public reuse. The 

resources provided by community or 

public reuse often boost the quality 

of life for local citizens. In some 

instances, these reuses can become 

the cornerstone for a downtown 

redevelopment effort. In other cases, 

the reuse might supplement additional 

community and public services 

already established. Whatever the 

circumstances, reusing a petroleum brownfield property for a comm unity or pub lic 

use can transform the property, eliminate blight, and provide needed services 

to a community. Such projects help local governments create a sustainable and 

responsible approach to addressing property revitalization.

Redevelopment can include the creation of schools and youth centers to encourage 

education and physical activity; community centers that encourage citizen 

interaction; health clinics to increase accessibility to affordable health care; and 

public offi ces or facilities such as fi rehouses, police stations, or locations for motor 

pools—all ways to provide public services to the community. In addition to the 

restoration of blighted, idle land and the removal of contamination, residents gain 

improved access to services, new jobs, and local economic engines that leverage 

additional improvements and enhance the quality of life. 

Greenville, South Carolina – Community Center And School

In Greenville, residents know about the old corner intersection. This 

area is located close to the central business district and historically 

housed numerous gas stations in proximity to each other. While 

all six properties remained as single parcels for reuse, the City of 

Greenville recognized the value of ensuring these properties were 

available for redevelopment. Identifying all the parcels as available for 

reuse helped the city plan for the area comprehensively. Additionally, 

the city realized cost savings by creating a project that required one 

assessment and cleanup instead of doing multiple parcels individually.

Continued...

Public

Serving Your Community – Public Reuse Options

The Reedy Place residential units

Examples Of Public Reuse 

Include:

– College campus buildings

– Intermodal train station

– Municipal buildings

– Firehouse

– School

– Health clinic

– Parking lots for state offi ce buildings

– Library

– Public amphitheater

– Community center

– Nonprofi t organization

– City-county government services 

complex

In Ogallala, Nebraska, a former gas station was redeveloped 

into the Spruce Street Visitors Center

The A.J. Whittenburg Elementary School 

under construction in Greenville, South Carolina
The city developed a master plan for its downtown area that included the old corner intersection. The City Master 

Plan called for high-density residential development and helped inspire Reedy Place, the first redevelopment 

project in the area with multiple affordable housing units. 

During redevelopment planning, the Salvation Army identified a parcel in the redevelopment area for the future site 

of a community center. As part of a $1.6 billion gift to the Salvation Army in 2003, Kroc Community Centers are to 

be developed coast-to-coast where each local facility is accessible and visible to various economic groups, with 

particular outreach to underserved families. The Kroc Center Foundation provided $52 million to the Greenville 

Salvation Army for the development of a future Kroc Community Center. Recognizing the benefit of the downtown 

location, the Greenville Salvation Army bought one of the former gas station properties for this purpose. The 

community raised $15 million in matching funds, and the Kroc Center development is underway. Redevelopment is 

scheduled to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011. 

Reedy Place and the Kroc Community Center have already leveraged additional redevelopment in downtown 

Greenville. During the planning process, the Greenville school district was looking for a parcel of land to use for the 

development of a new elementary school. When the Greenville Salvation Army offered to sell a portion of its parcel 

to locate the elementary school next to the new Kroc Community Center, the school district finalized its plans. The 

A.J. Whittenburg Elementary School is now under construction, marking the first elementary school to be built 

downtown in 30 years. The addition of the new elementary school creates an enhanced learning environment and 

improves access to educational facilities for an underserved population. 

The new public buildings in the downtown serve as an anchor development project that will help initiate more 

redevelopment in the area. Often, it is difficult to be the first redevelopment project, but reuse ventures such as the 

community center will help draw more projects into the area to both serve and benefit from the citizens utilizing the 

new facilities. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ By identifying and assessing multiple properties at the same time, the city saved money and was 

able to develop a comprehensive redevelopment Master Plan for the downtown area. 

■ Attracting a well known organization as a cornerstone of redevelopment helped catalyze other 

redevelopment projects. 

■ The redevelopment project creates an enhanced learning environment and improves access to 

educational facilities for an underserved population. 

Belmont, New Hampshire – Commuter Parking Lot 

The former Gulf gas station property in Belmont is 

located on NH Route 106, a busy commuter route. The 

one-acre former gas station operated from approximately 

1965 until the mid-1980s. During cleanup, four gasoline 

tanks were removed. Belmont collaborated with the 

New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) 

and the Lakes Region Planning Commission to reuse 

the property as a RideShare parking lot for commuters The former gas station reused as a RideShare property in Belmont, New Hampshire 

sharing car rides. RideShare is a free commuter service 

provided b vided by DOT, which is dedicated to finding alter which is dedicated to finding alternative ways for commuters to travel to and from work. The 

location of the Belmont RideShare also provides ample parking for visitors to the adjacent Belmont Town Forest. 

Clearwater, Florida – Health Clinic 

In one of Clearwater’s poorest neighborhoods, EPA Brownfields Assessment 

grant funding was used to assess a former petroleum brownfield property. 

The project utilized $200,000 in state funding to remove underground 

storage tanks and clean up petroleum-contaminated soil. As part of the 

city’s environmental justice plan, representatives of the North Greenwood 

community voted unanimously for the city to lease the property to the 

Greenwood Community Health Resource Center (now the Willa Carson 

Health Resource Center). The reuse met a critical need for access to a new 

health facility in the community and offers immunizations, physicals, tests and 

screenings, flu shots, and counseling to neighborhood residents. 

The Willa Carson Health Resource Center 

open for business in Clearwater, Florida 

10 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Petroleum Brownfi elds: Selecting A Reuse Option 11

The LEED-certifi ed Sue Buel Elementary School in McMinnville, Oregon

McMinnville, Oregon – Sustainable Elementar g y School 

In McMinnville a former two-acre asphalt plant, which 

operated for more than 40 years on the edge of town, 

received a complete makeover. The plant was abandoned 

in the mid-1990s, leaving behind a petroleum-contaminated 

property with little to offer the community. After years of lying 

vacant, Yamill County acquired the property through tax 

foreclosure in 2003. By 2007, the property was cleaned up 

and several underground storage tanks and drums had been 

removed.

The adjacent 12-acre property was planned and already under 

design to host the new Sue Buel Elementary School, a replacement 

for the 79-year old elementary school in town. The community 

lobbied to develop a green building that would showcase several 

energy effi cient elements. Specifi c features include ample windows 

and skylights to maximize exposure to daylight, dual fl ush toilets, 

dimmer switches and energy effi cient lighting systems, rooftop solar 

panels, and a heat recovery system. These features decrease energy 

use by 30 percent. The former two-acre asphalt plant property was 

incorporated into the adjacent 12-acre school property to provide 

more area for the design plans. Because of environmental concerns 

associated with the former asphalt plant, the school redevelopment planned to use the tw nned to use the two-acre proper -acre property as a 

landscaped parking lot as well as a storm water retention pond. Each of these features improved the sustainable 

features associated with the redevelopment and helped the school qualify for the U.S. Green Building Council’s 

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold cer ® tifi cation. The school opened in 2008 and hosts 

more than 600 students.

Continued...

The abandoned asphalt plant in McMinnville, Oregon

The cleanup and removal of several 

underground storage tanks
 

The redevelopment of this petroleum brownfield provides for an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, long 

lasting, and safe public resource for the local community. Conserving resources and lessening the environmental 

impact of the building improves the learning atmosphere for students and the quality of life for the surrounding 

community. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ Sustainable design ensured that the redevelopment was environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, 

long-lasting, and safe for the local community. 

■ Assembling properties provided additional space for development of needed school grounds and 

facilities. 

■ Attention to the environmental restrictions during design can result in protection of human health. In 

this case, the petroleum brownfield was reused for parking and storm water retention instead of a 

building location. 

Redevelopment occurring at the Prineville 

City Hall and Community Plaza property 

Prineville, Oregon – City Hall And Community Plaza 

The City of Prineville, a rural town of 9,000, faced the challenge of revitalizing 

its downtown after a decade of population growth. The city identified a critical 

need for additional building space to accommodate services including 

administration, planning and community development, police and emergency 

dispatch, and family services. The city used an EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant 

to address soil and groundwater petroleum contamination at a 0.25-acre former 

gas station property and to further minimize the migration of vapors. This parcel 

was developed in conjunction with adjacent properties, and more than 2,700 

tons of petroleum-impacted soil were excavated. Cleanup was completed in 

June 2004, and the new City Hall and Community Plaza, which can host 500 

visitors for concerts, speeches, and community events, opened in July 2005. 

Summary Of The Benefi ts Of Public Redevelopment 

Some of the most sensitive reuses for any type of brownfield include health facilities and schools—places where 

communities and children spend a lot of time that could create additional exposure. Stringent cleanup levels for 

petroleum brownfields protect residents from any former or residual contamination on the properties. Public reuse 

can provide new health care options for those in the community who might previously have had few available. In 

addition to health facilities and schools, local, state, tribal, and federal governments can also contribute to the reuse 

of petroleum brownfield properties. Old abandoned gas stations are often excellent locations for new government 

facilities such as firehouses, police stations, community centers, and libraries. These facilities can serve as an 

anchor and catalyst for area redevelopment and community pride. 

Communities across the country have demonstrated that under the right circumstances, cleanup levels, and 

guidance, petroleum brownfields can be put back into productive reuse to benefit the community. Stakeholders that 

reuse petroleum brownfields for a public use encourage others not to limit the possibilities for reuse of a property. 

With thorough investigation, characterization, cleanup, and funding, there can be multiple reuse possibilities. If a 

community has public service needs, it pays to consider all aspects of the redevelopment project and investigate 

any property that might fit those needs. 

12 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Petroleum Brownfi elds: Selecting A Reuse Option 13

Arlington, Virginia – Apartment Building

For people in and around the Washington, DC area, Arlington, Virginia, has 

become a residential and commercial destination. As the population in the 

Washington metropolitan area increased, so did the need for residential 

units that were convenient for commuting. In the late 1990s, Arlington began 

to experience signifi cant revitalization as a result of the growing economic 

market. The 1.5-acre Clarendon Triangle site remained one of the only vacant 

pieces of property available in 2000. 

The parcel of land included several independent properties that historically hosted gas stations, a car wash, an 

automobile dealership, and an offi ce building. At least four properties were assembled to form the Clarendon 

Triangle site. Because of a zoning requirement to offer commercial services on the ground level for all multi-unit 

residential development in Arlington County, a determination was made to redevelop the property as a planned 

community that would offer up to 257 residential units and approximately 14,000 square feet of retail space. Continued...

Residential

Sheltering Your Community – Residential Reuse Options

Reuse of petroleum brownfi elds can also 

include housing or residential options. Ensuring 

that the reuse for the property is protective of 

human health is especially important when 

evaluating a property for residential reuse. It 

may be the case that environmental conditions 

on the property make cleaning for residential 

reuse prohibitively expensive or that the 

environmental conditions require specifi c 

redevelopment restrictions or controls on 

the property. For instance, depending on the 

contamination source and cleanup standards, a 

property might not support the development of a building that includes a basement due to 

potential vapor intrusion issues. However, the property might still be suitable for residential 

reuse, assuming all units are above ground.

Residential reuse often creates an opportunity to improve several aspects of a community. First, community leaders may want 

to determine if a residential reuse will adhere to specifi c zoning regulations within the community. If residential reuse is an 

option, the reuse can revitalize a downtown area, provide housing options for those that require proximity to specifi c amenities, 

improve the tax base for the community, and develop a neighborhood in a former commercial area. In addition, providing 

housing in a downtown area or near existing job centers can help to reduce household transportation costs and improve 

access to employment opportunities.

The new 257-residential unit Clarendon Triangle apartment complex

Examples Of Residential 

Reuse Include:

– Apartments

– Condominiums

– Lofts

– Townhouses 

– Multi-family housing

– Single-family housing

– Affordable housing

– Special needs housing

– Senior housing

Former gas station in Redwood City, California

Petroleum brownfi elds property in 

downtown Arlington, Virginia
 

The redevelopment process was driven by the market conditions in and around Arlington. The Clarendon Triangle 

site was overlooked for years because of concerns about environmental contamination; however, the prime 

location and partnership with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) attracted the developer. 

Because of coordination among VA DEQ, the property owner, the environmental consultants, and the lending 

institution, the property was cleaned up to safe, residential levels that met the needs of the project. Despite 

identifying additional areas of petroleum contamination during redevelopment activities, the project stayed on 

schedule. All contamination was removed, which allowed for subsurface structures on the property. The property 

was completed in fall 2003, bringing additional residents to the Clarendon neighborhood. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ Project partners allowed the market to be the driver for the project’s reuse. 

■ Cleanup requirements need to be evaluated for the final reuse—contamination can be revisited once 

a reuse option is selected. 

■ The assembly of four parcels allowed the developer to meet the needs of a large project. 

est Regional Planning Commission’

Fully occupied Habitat for Humanity homes on 

the former gas and service station records indicating whether the property’s fuel storage tanks had been removed. 

To resolve these contamination uncertainties, a series of assessments 

funded by the Northwest Regional Pla s EPA Brownfields Assessment grants confirmed that

only minor levels of petroleum contaminants were present at the property. These assessments also indicated that the 

contaminants were not migrating and that no underground storage tanks from the former gas station were present. 

Habitat for Humanity purchased the property in 2006 and leveraged more than $83,000 in donations and in-kind 

services to build a residential duplex on the property. These homes are now occupied by two families. 

Salt Lake City, Utah – Apartment Complex 

Swanton, Vermont – Residential Duplex 

This 0.9-acre property operated as a gasoline and service station until the 

early 1960s, after which the owner converted it to a duplex rental unit. The 

property changed hands several times but continued to operate as a residential 

rental until 2003. The existing structure was demolished and research about 

the property uncovered its former use as a service station and a lack of 

Located in a largely commercial and light industrial area of Salt Lake 

City, this 2.57-acre property was once a tiling company, auto and lumber 

operation, and more recently, a wholesale produce company. EPA 

Brownfields Assessment grants were used to help define the extent of 

contamination from a 4,000-gallon underground storage tank discovered 

during preliminary construction activities: contamination included elevated 

levels of petroleum in the property’s soil and groundwater. Cleanup was 

completed by March 2005 and included removal of the underground 

Utah, providing maximum benefit to working and student residents. 

Chicago, Illinois – Low-Income Housing 

storage tank, excavation of contaminated soils, and remediation of the property’s groundwater. A $5.4 million loan rty’s groundwater A $5 4 million loan 

from U.S. Bank funded the construction of an 84-unit, mixed-income apartment complex on the property. The 

Jefferson School Apartments include affordable one- and two-bedroom units, a courtyard, a pool, and an exercise 

room. The apartments are conveniently accessible to the light-rail transit line, downtown, and the University of 

Jefferson School Apartment complex in 

Salt Lake City, Utah 

From the 1960s through the mid-1990s, a property on West Washington Street 

in Chicago was home to a gas station and auto repair shop. The city determined 

that the property was a detriment and a threat to public health. The property 

was cleaned up to remove barriers to redevelopment. The city demolished a 

12,000-square-foot building on the property and removed eight underground 

storage tanks. The city detected a petroleum release during the removal of 

the tanks and conducted tests on the soil that confirmed the presence of 

Redevelopment site of low-income 

housing in Chicago, Illinois 

petroleum The city then completed t petroleum. The city then completed the site assessment, preliminary cleanup activity, and excavation and removal of he 

contaminated soil. After cleanup activities were complete, a local developer built low-income housing on the property. 

14 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Emeryville, California – Sustainable Housing
 


This site, which straddles the border of Emeryville and Oakland, previously consisted of three properties that were site which straddles the border of Emeryville and Oak 

The cleanup and redevelopment of a former 

petroleum-contaminated property in Emeryville, California 

s 

In the San Francisco Bay Area, housing is in high 

demand. This is certainly true in the City of Emeryville, 

whose population has more than doubled since 

1980 and which is located almost directly across 

the bay from San Francisco. City officials typically 

let the market determine the best redevelopment 

use for most brownfield properties. In the case of a 

petroleum brownfield that was formerly used for paint 

manufacturing, the community wanted environmentallysustainable housing. 

combined to form a one-acre parcel. Site investigation activities concluded that the soil and groundwater were 

contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, including free-floating product. With a strong track record of effectively 

implementing EPA Brownfields grants, the City of Emeryville used $1.175 million in EPA Brownfields Revolving 

Loan funds to clean up the property. Additional cleanup and redevelopment funding was provided in the form of 

private equity and construction loans. 

Planning for redevelopment began in 2001, at which time the developer learned that Emeryville and Oakland 

encouraged the sustainable reuse of properties. Although the project predated the U.S. Green Building Council’s 

LEED® for Homes certification program, a team was formed to ensure the completion of environmentallysustainable housing. The team included representatives from both cities as well as an architecture firm that was 

one of the first in the area to work on green infill housing. 

Continued... 

Green City Lofts completed on a former petroleum brownfields property 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 15 
Following the completion of cleanup in December 2004, the property was redeveloped into Green City Lofts. 

There are 62 residential units, six of which are affordable housing units. The building incorporated green building 

technologies, including components like storm water runoff collection for landscape irrigation, Forest Stewardship 

Council-certified wood for all interior doors, and paints without volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The project’s 

green elements create a pleasant and environmentally-friendly residential complex. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ Projects that straddle city boundaries can be completed, particularly if the communities or cities 

involved have similar goals. 

■ The demand for environmentally-sustainable housing determined the reuse of the property. 

■ Green buildings and sustainable development yield human health and environmental benefits to the 

local community. 

Houston, Texas – Affordable Artist Lofts 

Petroleum cleanup at the old hospital paved the way for the 

renovation of the old building into affordable apartment lofts 

The former 1.6-acre Jefferson Davis Hospital property was 

used as a park in the 1920s, until the city built its first hospital 

for indigent care on it in 1924. After the hospital closed, the 

building had a variety of uses before being abandoned. In 2002, 

Jefferson Davis Artist Lofts (JDAL) purchased the property from 

the county for redevelopment. As part of the acquisition process, 

an environmental assessment revealed an underground storage 

tank that once contained gasoline used to fuel ambulances. 

The use of EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant funds to address 

and clean up the property helped JDAL leverage funding from 

diverse entities motivated by different aspects of the project, 

such as the need for affordable housing, support for the arts, and 

historical preservation. As a result, a ne As a result a new affordab le loft-style apartment building opened in October 2005 and

was fully leased by November. One unique feature of the apartment building is a “green” or vegetative roof system 

that conserves energy. The redevelopment also complements the revitalization of numerous historic buildings in 

Houston’s central business district. 

Summary Of The Benefits Of Residential 

Redevelopment 

Citizens need to have a high level of confidence in the cleanup and redevelopment of petroleum brownfields when 

they will be calling them home. With many petroleum brownfields on corner lots along main streets or along highdensity corridors, residential reuse is a growing option—especially when residents relocate to downtown areas. 

The proximity of these properties to other public amenities makes them attractive for residential reuse. While 

the size of the properties can limit redevelopment, assembling properties into a larger redevelopment project 

can provide adequate space for residential reuse. The extent, type, and cleanup of contamination can preclude 

certain aspects of new structures built on the property. For example, the former petroleum contamination at these 

properties may limit the building of sub-surface structures (for example, parking garage, basement) in order to 

reduce exposure. However, successful residential development can still be achieved. Other considerations include 

proper zoning requirements and conducting community outreach to better ensure safety and the protection of 

public health. 

16 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Petroleum Brownfi elds: Selecting A Reuse Option 17

The redeveloped Veterans Memorial Park in Seymour, Wisconsin

Greenspace

Greening Your Community – Greenspace Reuse Options

Petroleum-contaminated properties are being cleaned up and reused in ways 

that both enhance the environment and enrich community living. Redevelopment 

can include greenspace that provides public spaces for leisure activities or land 

conservation efforts. These spaces can also encourage recreation, reduce the 

effects of urban heat islands, and improve storm water management—all ways 

to improve public health. A cleaned up petroleum brownfi eld can result in cleaner 

rivers and harbors while providing recreational facilities for the local community. 

Greenspace or open space reuse also can facilitate land conservation when 

development is set aside to protect and preserve land.

Recreational park space in many downtown areas is limited and does not always 

meet the needs of the local community. In an effort to address this problem, 

neighborhood and city residents are redeveloping smaller petroleum brownfi eld 

properties into city parks, community gardens, and other outdoor recreation areas. 

These parks are spurring additional investment and community improvements. Cities 

and towns are taking advantage of their waterfront amenities by turning petroleum 

brownfi elds, often larger tank farms that were located by rivers for transportation 

purposes, into waterfront recreational areas or promenades for the enjoyment 

of the community or as tourist destinations. Waterfront redevelopment also increases access to the water for recreational 

uses and educational opportunities, such as programs by Living Classrooms Foundation (www.livingclassrooms.org) and the 

National Maritime Heritage Foundation (www.nmhf.org). These programs use environmental and maritime resources as learning 

laboratories to create stronger communities that exercise environmental stewardship.

Seymour, Wisconsin – Memorial Park

A former service garage and gas station located in the heart of downtown Seymour was redeveloped into Veterans 

Memorial Park. The former petroleum brownfi eld had six leaking underground storage tanks and was abandoned 

for approximately 10 years. The responsible party was fi nancially unable to clean up the property so the city 

acquired the property through tax delinquency. The city held community meetings to determine the most benefi cial 

redevelopment option for the property—which was a community park and greenspace. Continued...

Examples Of Greenspace 

Reuse Include:

– City parks

– Promenades and walking trails

– Community gardens

– Outdoor theater

– Nature trails

– Riverfront and water access

– Educational facility

– Convention center

– Playground

– Basketball courts
 

 

The city then obtained a local government liability exemption, which protected the city from future liability. The city 

also went through the site closure process with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to ensure 

that the remediation and redevelopment would progress in the correct and most efficient manner. The city was 

able to perform Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments at the property and also conduct a full site 

investigation with funding from a DNR Brownfields Site Assessment grant. 

In addition to the local government liability exemption, the city also received a general liability clarification 

letter from DNR’s Remediation and Redevelopment (RR) Program. The city utilized funds from the Wisconsin 

Department of Commerce’s Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Awards (PECFA) Program to clean up the 

remaining leaking underground storage tank contamination. The grant was used to excavate and properly dispose 

of 525 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil, remove the six underground storage tanks, demolish buildings, and 

remove asbestos. Throughout the project, RR Program staff assisted with project plans and reports, oversaw 

remediation activities, and approved the site closure. 

The park has attracted residents back to the downtown area by providing a space for the community to enjoy in 

the heart of town. Through working with the community and the state environmental agency, the City of Seymour 

reused a brownfield to serve as a place of remembrance, beauty, and recreation. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ The most beneficial redevelopment option was determined by the community’s need for a public space. 

It is easier to gain community support when the project meets community needs. 

■ The property now provides the community with a place of remembrance, beauty, and recreation. 

Aerial view of the Riverfront Amphitheater in Oshkosh, Wisconsin 

Oshkosh, Wisconsin – Riverfront Amphitheater 

On an eight-acre former manufactured gas plant facility, the 

City of Oshkosh seized an opportunity to design an inviting 

greenspace for recreation and entertainment that would draw 

residents and visitors to the downtown. Site cleanup activities 

included the removal of several underground storage tanks and 

the removal of petroleum-contaminated soils. More than 23,500 

tons of material were treated and reused on the property. The city 

purchased the property from the former owner, Wisconsin Public 

Service, in December 2003 in order to develop the riverfront 

walkway and amphitheater. The facility also includes concession 

buildings, landscaping, and parking for the property. 

Norwich, Connecticut – Community Park 

Located along the Shetucket River, the fiveacre property was formerly utilized by the City 

Textile Corporation for a textile finishing business. 

The mill complex was destroyed in 1986 by a 

fire, leaving only the foundation and a concrete 

building on the property. Cleanup included 

addressing and capping petroleum-contaminated 

soil. The city recognized the need for additional 

park space in order to meet the needs of local 

residents. Completed in June 2005, the new 

riverfront park offers a large, multi-use field in 

the center of a walking track, a basketball court, 

picnic tables, and a playground. The design 

also includes bench seating convenient to the 

riverfront and river access for small boats and 

canoes. The former mill complex was cleaned up and transformed into a 

community park and river access 

18 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Continued...

The Town of Jackson Aiken County a 

An abandoned petroleum-contaminated property 

along Main Street in Jackson, South Carolina 

Jackson, South Carolina – Roadside Park 

The Town of Jackson, located in Aiken County, has a population of 

1,625. Campbell’s Service Center was located on a corner parcel along 

Main Street for years but by 1995 was abandoned because of known 

environmental concerns, including five underground storage tanks. Because 

of these environmental issues, the mayor of Jackson requested support 

from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 

(SCDHEC). 

The Town of Jackson, Aiken County, and SCDHEC partnered 

to identify property concerns, which included soil and 

groundwater contamination, underground storage tanks, 

property ownership, tax liens, and an abandoned building. 

The partners then identified resources available to address 

each of these challenges. Assessment and cleanup activities 

were conducted with support from partners as well as the local 

community. During a public meeting, residents recognized 

the need for a park where cyclists from nearby Augusta, 

Georgia, could stop and take a break. The park would be in the 

downtown area of Jackson, allowing the community to utilize 

the space. Through a cooperative effort, the Jackson Roadside 

Park opened in September 2007 and includes a gazebo, brick 

patio on the former building foundation, and park benches. 

Contin ued... 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new community park and gazebo 

The new park and gazebo 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 19 
 

 

 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ Having a local champion for the project was a key component in driving the project forward. 

■ Identify concerns, partnerships, and resources early in the planning and development process. 

■ Existing structures, in this case the building foundation slab, can be reused in new ways to reduce 

construction debris and costs. 

Wilmington, Delaware – Downtown Park 

C l bi i i C i k 

Wilimington, Delaware, achieved three redevelopment goals with 

the completion of the downtown greenspace 

The Hi-Tech gas station in downtown Wilmington sat 

abandoned since 1995. In 2001, city economic development 

officials evinced interest in reusing the property. Once the 

underground storage tanks were removed and the soil 

contamination was cleaned up, the city moved forward 

with the development of the Brandywine Park, which 

accomplished three redevelopment goals: meeting the 

needs of the Brandywine Village district, cleaning up the 

property, and keeping redevelopment costs low. 

Columbia, Missouri – Community Park 

The 2.5-acre former bulk oil terminal in Columbia was converted into 

a center for community activity. Cleanup was funded by a $200,000 

EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant and included the removal of more 

than 7,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil and 12,000 gallons 

of contaminated water. The property is located in the heart of the 

Columbia business district and provides the community with access to 

a playground, picnic benches, an amphitheater, and a gazebo. The new 

park serves as a trailhead for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Nature and 

Fitness Trail and is part of the American Discovery Trail that extends 

from Delaware to California. 

The former bulk oil terminal was transformed 

into a community park 

Summary Of The Benefi ts Of Greenspace Reuse 

Greenspace redevelopment provides the opportunity to take a blighted property, previously unsuitable for recreation, 

and turn it into an easily accessible public gathering place. New city parks and recreational spaces improve the 

aesthetic appearance of derelict land and provide environmental improvements to both the property and the 

surrounding area. Planting trees and other vegetation on such properties offers air quality improvements and social 

benefits. Creating an inviting greenspace for leisure and recreation draws residents and visitors alike. In addition, 

public parks and recreation areas often serve as a catalyst for redevelopment activities in the surrounding area. 

In most cases, the design of city parks is a collaborative effort that includes community involvement in every 

aspect of planning, cleanup, and redevelopment. Maximizing community input and support, utilizing creative 

financing methods, capitalizing on public-private partnerships when available, and overcoming project obstacles 

through dedicated leaders working within the political environment are keys to turning petroleum brownfields into 

greenspace. Furthermore, the emphasis on public-private partnerships and community involvement affirms that the 

inclusion of public interest is essential for development. Greenspace redevelopment promotes outdoor leisure and 

has the capacity to initiate a period of economic and aesthetic rebirth to the surrounding area. 

20 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Petroleum Brownfi elds: Selecting A Reuse Option 21

The completed multi-use Egleston Crossing redevelopment project

Mixed-use

Creating A Space With Multiple Uses – Mixed-use Redevelopment Options

Larger or assembled parcels lend themselves to redevelopment 

projects that can accommodate a number of reuses. These projects, 

which may include a single building development with two different 

types of reuses (for example, a building with retail shops on the 

ground fl oor and condominiums on the upper fl oors), are typically 

considered mixed-use redevelopment. Mixed-use projects serve a 

larger population base than single-use projects. Additionally, this 

type of redevelopment often combines commercial, residential, and 

greenspace reuse in order to accommodate a number of community 

needs and provide a better quality of life.

Roxbury, Massachusetts – 

Affordable Housing, Commercial Space 

The 2.2-acre Egleston Crossing rede T velopment in the Roxbury and Jamaica 

Plain neighborhoods of Boston grew from the availability of two parcels. The 

parcels included a former car repair shop and an abandoned theater in a targeted 

redevelopment area identifi ed by community stakeholders. Seeking to eliminate 

exposure to these contaminated and abandoned properties as well as improve the 

neighborhood center, the Urban Edge community development corporation purchased 

the proper t ties and addressed the contamination and reuse of these parcels. 

Once both parcels were acquired, the properties were combined to host a 

mixed-use project that features affordable housing on the upper fl oors and 

commercial space on the g commercial space on the ground flo or. Three environmental objectives of the fi nished project were to provide good 

indoor air quality, improve energy and water effi ciency, and reduce waste. The redevelopment project consists of 

two buildings that include 64 new residential units for low-income residents, almost a quarter of which are reserved 

for formerly homeless individuals with disabilities. The project also includes 8,300 square feet of commercial space 

that contains a coffee shop, dental clinic, fi sh market, and a youth writing program.

Recognizing an opportunity to make an additional impact on the community, Urban Edge incorporated additional 

sustainable features into the building design. While the project addressed contamination at the property and improved 

Continued...

Examples Of Mixed-use 

Redevelopment Include:

– Coffee shop – Retail

– Restaurant – Farmers market

– Housing – Grocery store

– Offi ces – Hotel

– Plaza space – Community park

Former car repair shop and abandoned theater in downtown Roxbury, Massachusetts 
 

 

 

f

A 

u 

u 

g 

a 

f 

i 

o 

i t i fi ld 

Legacy at Art Quarter 

the image of the neighborhood, it also worked to minimize the future environmental impact at the site. Sustainable 

design elements integrated into the project include: low-flow toilets, shower heads, and aerators; non-irrigated 

landscaping with native plants to reduce water use; photovoltaic panels; and the installation of Energy Star® rated 

appliances, insulation, windows, and heating systems. The project also recycled 90 percent of the construction waste 

and other debris from the property. The project received the 2005 Energy Star® Builder Achievement award for the 

energy efficiency achieved and the 2008 EPA National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Award for Built Projects. 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ The two parcels would have been more expensive to clean up had they been redeveloped separately. 

Combining them resulted in a cost-effective project that was completed ahead of schedule. 

■ Environmental benefits do not have to end at cleanup. The new buildings minimize future impacts on 

the environment by integrating sustainable design elements into the project. 

Project Funding Sources: 

Urban Edge compiled significant public and private funding sources for multiple property activities. 

Local 

Funding 

– City of Boston HOME funds – Fleet Bank of Massachusetts 

– City of Boston McKinney’s Fund – Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) 

– City of Boston Neighborhood Housing Trust 

State and 

Federal Funding 

– Mass Development – Community Economic Development Assistance

 Corporation 

– Mass Technology Collaborative – Property and Casualty Initiative 

– Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation – Mass Affordable Trust Fund 

– Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund – Massachusetts Department of Housing and

 Community Development 

– Massachusetts Home Improvement

 Contractors (HIC) 

– Energy Star Homes Program 

– Mass Home Funders – Federal Home Loan Bank 

Private 

Funding 

– Urban Edge – Bank of America 

– Keyspan 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Apartments, Commercial Space 

A six-acre property covering a two-block area in downtown Oklahoma City was temporarily 

used as soccer fields during the property transfer and planning for the permanent mixeduse redevelopment project. The property was previously occupied by as many as three 

gasoline stations, an automobile service facility, an auto body repair and paint shop, 

and a dry cleaner. The property was abandoned in the 1970s, and the structures of the 

ormer businesses were removed. After the Oklahoma Petroleum Storage Tank Division 

issued a Ready for Reuse determination acknowledging that environmental conditions 

on the property were protective of human health and the environment, the property had an 

interim use as soccer fields by the Central Oklahoma Adult Soccer League. The property was later transformed into 

a mixed-use redevelopment that now includes the Legacy at Arts Quarter apartment residences, retail shops, and 

commercial office space. The interim use in this case was as a recreational space for the community. 

New York, New York – Affordable Housing, Retail Space 

The property was a former gas station located on White Plains Road in the Bronx. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation certified White 

Plains Courtyard with the top “Track 1” cleanup ranking, meaning it met the most 

stringent environmental standards set by the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program 

and qualifying it for “unrestricted use.” In addition, White Plains Courtyard was the 

first brownfield remediation in the borough as well as the first former-brownfield 

affordable-housing development in the state to achieve the highest cleanup 

rating. White Plains Courtyard is a seven-story, 120,000-square-foot apartment 

development that includes 16,500 square feet of ground floor retail space. 

Residential and commercial mixed-use 

project in New York, New York 

22 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
The cleanup of the former car dealership 

and fuel station 

Rochester, New York – Townhouses, Commercial Space 

The key to the redevelopment of one of Rochester’s largest car dealerships 

came down to location. The 2.2-acre multi-parcel property situated in 

downtown Rochester operated for more than 60 years as a car dealership 

with multi-bay service and a repair garage as well as a gasoline station. 

When the facility closed in 1990, the buildings were abandoned and the 

property left vacant. While the property was under common ownership, 

it was comprised of multiple parcels. Recognizing the need to reinvent 

downtown Rochester, the city purchased the land in 1996 after conducting 

a market evaluation to determine the reuse potential of the property. The redevelopment of the property would a market evaluation to determine the 

ultimately take five years to complete. In the interim, the property was used to meet a need for public parking in the 

downtown area that allowed more patrons to support nearby downtown businesses. 

The city contracted with a private real estate firm to conduct a market evaluation to help understand the possible 

reuse scenarios appropriate for the property and for the entire downtown image. In conjunction with a review of 

the environmental investigation, the most beneficial redevelopment option was the development of residential 

townhouses as well as the reuse of the old dealership showroom as a 24-hour coffee shop and restaurant. 

The showroom, which was designated historic, was integrated into the mixed-use property design allowing for 

commercial reuse on the property along with residential townhouses. The 77 new townhouses constructed on the 

property provided an opportunity to renew the population base within downtown Rochester and created a place to 

live, work, and play in the downtown area. The Chevy Place development was the first new downtown apartment 

complex built in 20 years. 

Using experience on past brownfields redevelopment projects, the city leveraged financing opportunities to make 

the project feasible. Total cleanup project costs were approximately $750,000, with the city funding part of the 

cost using a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant 

(CDBG) allocation and the developer funding additional cleanup costs. The city also assisted by providing direct 

reimbursement for certain disposal costs and provided a reduction on the purchase price of the property to help 

offset environmental cleanup costs. Additionally, the city helped provide a $2.35 million loan for the redevelopment 

project. Because a number of incentives were offered, the developer was willing to take on the risk of liability for 

the property. Another cost savings was the removal of planned basements from the redevelopment project, which 

also resulted in a greater level of protection for human health. 

Within three months of completing the redevelopment, 97 percent of the units were filled with residents. The 

project acted as a catalyst for more than $100 million in private investment and development in the area. Additional 

projects included reusing an old auto body shop as a restaurant and removing an abandoned building to increase 

parking for new businesses. The Chevy Place redevelopment helped change the face of downtown Rochester by 

providing amenities and generating revenue for other local businesses. 

Continued... 

The new Chevy Place mixed-use development features the restoration of the car dealership’s showroom 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 23 
 

 

 

 

 

Key Components And Lessons Learned: 

■ Incorporating changes to the proposed redevelopment to accommodate the cleanup and protection 

of human health and the environment provided easy cost savings for all partners. 

■ Working with an experienced developer helped reduce the city’s project work and oversight. 

■ Financial incentives help in overcoming risk aversion to petroleum brownfield projects. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico – Residential, Commercial, Public, And Recreational 

The former railyard is a prime example of 

blending multiple uses 

After serving the community for most of the 20th century as an active center for 

transportation and business, the 50-acre Santa Fe Railyard spent the past few 

decades as a blighted, vacant property. The public expressed a strong desire 

to keep the railroad running to the historic depot, create a large park, enhance 

local business opportunities, and form an arts and cultural district within the 

Railyard. The city purchased the property and used an EPA Targeted Brownfields 

Assessment to characterize the contaminants in the soil and groundwater. 

Lead and other metals, petroleum, and petroleum product contamination were 

discovered on the property. The city cleaned up the property, and today the Railyard is a successful blend of live-in The 

artist studios, galleries, museums, a farmers market, retail shops, office space, and over 13 acres that include 

a park, plaza, and pedestrian promenade. The city contracted with the nonprofit Santa Fe Railyard Community 

Corporation to manage sustainable revitalization in keeping with the community’s vision. The Railyard grand 

opening was held in September 2008. 

Moorhead, Minnesota – Residential, Commercial, And Public 

Many structures in the Central City Corridor in Moorhead were over 100 years 

old and abandoned or underutilized. Using an EPA Brownfields Assessment 

grant, an area-wide assessment of the corridor revealed petroleum 

contamination from a former gas station in the soil and groundwater. The city 

used grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic 

Development, the Minnesota Dry Cleaners Fund, and the Minnesota Petrofund 

to help pay for the cleanup. A developer invested $18 million to redevelop the 

area in five phases. The first phase, completed in the spring of 2005, included a mixed-use str ixed-use structure with three ucture with three

commercial spaces and 17 apartments. Phase II added a second mixed-use structure and renovations of the 

corridor’s two historic structures, preserving them for reuse. In the fall of 2006, an outdoor bridgehead plaza was 

completed at the base of the new Main Avenue Bridge, allowing pedestrians access to the river and to walking 

and bike trails. Phase III included a parking ramp for 135 cars and a 30-unit apartment building with underground 

parking. This new gateway to Moorhead welcomes travelers with a beautifully renovated, pedestrian-friendly 

downtown area. 

Summary Of The Benefits Of Mixed-use 


Redevelopment 


Considerations for mixed-use projects may include property size, building restrictions on the site, comparable real 

estate projects in the area, and community need. While property size is important, another key consideration is 

property layout. The layout and location of the property may influence the position of future buildings as well as the 

combinations of uses that can be situated on a property. 

If land is available and there is financial incentive, communities can use mixed-use development to attract a 

population base to the redevelopment area. Mixed-use development brings people closer to shopping, jobs, and 

other community destinations and in the process often reduces the distance that people have to drive or gives 

them the choice of walking, bicycling, or using transit. One common practice includes zoning the first floor of a 

residential building for commercial use. This helps to attract retailers while providing goods and services to area 

residents. Nonresidents also benefit from the new space. Like most redevelopment projects, mixed-use projects 

often depend on an anchor development to attract users as well as other prospects for the property. Petroleum 

brownfields have been successfully used for these types of projects, which improve the target property and help 

leverage additional development in the area. 

24 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 

The Central City Corridor mixed-use 

redevelopment project 
Successful Redevelopment Approaches



TThe preceding section highlighted the wide variety of reuse options that are possible at 

petroleum brownfields. But how do these properties get redeveloped? Each petroleum 

brownfield redevelopment project is different and may rely on a unique combination of tools 

and resources to complete. Understanding and having access to a variety of tools and 

resources can help make projects successful. 

Engaging Communities And Partners 

The community needs to be inf it d t b i f ormed of the en d f th vironmental conditions at the proper i ty, the 

proposed remediation, and of potential reuse options. Providing honest and complete information 

on the environmental issues and how they will be addressed helps generate credibility and 

confidence in the project. Regular communication with the community and project partners 

helps avoid potential misunderstandings. Listening to community concerns about environmental 

issues, property design, and reuse is fundamental to the success of the project. In addition, 

communities provide valuable input on preferred uses for a property. For example, in Jackson, 

South Carolina, it was community input that crafted the redevelopment vision for Jackson Park. 

In this example and in many of the other projects highlighted in this catalogue, civic and public 

leadership played an important role in redeveloping petroleum brownfield properties. 

Information can be shared with the community through multiple formats to ensure as many 

people as possible receive needed information. Some mechanisms for information sharing 

include: public meetings; discussions with business and community groups; information on 

Web sites and in newspapers and newsletters; signs posted at the property; community 

visioning exercises; and design charrettes (intensive, hands-on workshop that bring people 

from different disciplines and backgrounds together to explore design options for a particular 

area). In areas where multiple languages are spoken, communications can be translated to be 

accessible to the impacted population. 

In addition to the local community, engaging other project partners is another key to a 

property’s redevelopment. Community groups, environmental professionals, regulatory 

agencies, financiers, local business groups, and developers can all be actively engaged 

throughout the redevelopment process. Some partners’ skills and resources can be used to 

minimize costs; for example, local gardening clubs might offer free or low-cost landscaping for 

a pocket park redevelopment once the property has been remediated. For more information 

on partnerships, visit www.epa.gov/brownfields/partnr.htm. 

Former gas station redeveloped into a parking lot in support of the 

Pelican Landing Conference Center in Moss Point, Mississippi 

It is important for developers to remember 

that redevelopment projects are successful 

when they are accepted and welcomed 

by the community. Engaging community 

residents and other project partners early 

in a property’s cleanup and redevelopment 

process is critical to help promote more 

equitable development outcomes. It 

is helpful to integrate the community 

engagement process into the property 

identification and reuse selection process. 

Working Through The Cleanup And Redevelopment Process 

The redevelopment process begins with the identification of the project property. One tool 

communities use to identify petroleum brownfields for redevelopment is a petroleum brownfi eld 

site inventory. This inventory lists known properties that may require cleanup and provides 

excellent resources for identifying potential properties for redevelopment. An inventory also can 

be used to prioritize the redevelopment of multiple properties, assist in marketing properties for 

reuse, help track redevelopment progress, and increase awareness of petroleum brownfi elds. 

An inventory may be developed by a local government in conjunction with community 

groups, local business leaders, real estate professionals, and developers. EPA’s Petroleum 

Brownfields: Developing Inventories (www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/pbfdevelopinventories.pdf) is a 

good resource for learning how to develop and use an inventory. 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 25 
Prior to purchasing a property, it is essential to conduct All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) to 

understand any potential environmental issues. AAI is the process of conducting due diligence 

or a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to determine prior uses and ownership of a 

property and assess conditions at the property that may be indicative of releases or threatened 

releases of hazardous substances at, on, in, or to the property. AAI necessitates involving an 

environmental professional and the environmental regulatory agency, either local, state, tribal, 

or EPA. An environmental professional can assist with the appropriate inquiry process and 

also provide advice on reuse, make recommendations for potential remedial action, and aid 

communication with state and federal regulators. The environmental regulator also will assist in 

understanding the implications of environmental reports and help explain what remediation is 

necessary. More information can be found at www.epa.gov/brownfields/regneg.htm. 

Once a property is identified for redevelopment, petroleum brownfield stakeholders can utilize 

state regulatory agencies and state response programs to facilitate the property’s cleanup 

and reuse planning. States are key partners in terms of technical assistance, funding, liability 

issues, and selecting remediation and reuse options. Although liability remains an obstacle 

to reuse, state response programs are bringing a greater level of certainty to the cleanup 

and redevelopment process and establishing finality for cleanups with liability relief and “no 

further action” mechanisms. EPA’s State Brownfields And Voluntary Response Programs: An 

Update From The States (www.epa.gov/brownfields/pubs/st_res_prog_report.htm) explores 

the evolving landscape of state environmental, financial, and technical programs, including 

the incentives designed to promote brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. This user-friendly 

tool looks at multiple components of state brownfields and voluntary response program(s) and 

provides a synopsis of each state’s response program(s) and contact information. 

In the cleanup stage of the redevelopment process, there are a variety of creative approaches 

that can be used to reduce costs and streamline redevelopment. An example of one such 

approach is using knowledge of a property’s environmental and geophysical conditions to 

adjust cleanup and reuse plans. Ensuring that new buildings are located on the most sound 

areas of a property will reduce the costs associated with stabilization and compaction. For 

example, at the Chevy Place in Rochester, New York, environmental investigation results 

allowed the cleanup manager to identify ways to alter the cleanup plan, reduce offsite 

disposal, and minimize excavation for the new building footprints, resulting in an overall lower 

cost. Another example of a cost-saving approach is to use the redevelopment project to fulfill 

some of the cleanup requirements. For example, features of a redevelopment project such as 

slabs or parking lots can serve as caps to contaminated areas. 

After cleanup, there may be challenges to implementing a planned reuse at a property, 

including time considerations, community issues, financing issues, and/or environmental 

issues. In such cases, an interim reuse may be appropriate at a property to provide near-term 

economic and social benefits before a more beneficial long-term reuse can be implemented. 

Another approach for property reuse is to consider parcel assembly. Because some petroleum 

brownfield properties are small and in locations that may have limited reuse potential as 

independent properties, parcel assembly may improve the viability and marketability of a 

property. If land assembly is an option, the area can support a larger reuse project and can help 

achieve economies of scale if the environmental work can be conducted as a single project. 

Incorporating Environmental Sustainability 

Petroleum brownfield projects have increasingly incorporated more environmentally-sustainable 

elements into project cleanup and reuse, such as recycling construction and demolition 

debris; conducting energy modeling to maximize efficiency in building placement and heating, 

ventilating, and air conditioning selection; tapping into renewable energy resources (e.g., solar); 

using building materials and paints with no VOCs; and incorporating native landscaping. 

Sustainable Cleanup And Redevelopment Resources 

■ EPA Water Sense (www.epa.gov/WaterSense) 

■ EPA ENERGY STAR ® (www.epa.gov/energystar) 

■ EPA Brownfields Sustainability Pilots (www.epa.gov/brownfields/sustain_plts/) 

■ U.S. Green Building Council LEED ® (www.usgbc.org/LEED) 

■ Sustainable Sites Initiative (www.sustainablesites.org) 

■ Living Building Challenge (http://ilbi.org/the-standard) 

■ EcoTools (www.cluin.org/ecotools) 

■ Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org) 

26 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
 

 

 

 

 

Incorporating sustainability into the planning, design, and implementation of redevelopment 

projects presents a number of benefits. Some of these benefits include improved energy 

efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and savings in water consumption. Developing in 

existing communities and on infill properties, and promoting more compact, mixed-use 

development are critical factors in providing greater transportation choice and protecting open 

space, resource lands, and critical environmental areas. In addition, projects that incorporate 

sustainable elements are more marketable and offer lower operating costs than traditional 

developments. There are many organizations that can offer guidance, products, and resources 

for those interested in pursuing sustainable petroleum brownfield projects. 

Finding Financing And Technical Assistance 

Like many brownfields, petroleum brownfields may need to rely on public funding sources 

to make redevelopment feasible. A variety of financing sources to support the assessment, 

cleanup, and redevelopment of properties are available at various levels of government. 

Communities that reach out to local, state, tribal, and federal government programs to identify 

these potential sources of funding may facilitate the cleanup and reuse of a property that 

was previously unviable. EPA identifies partners and financing opportunities on its Web site 

at www.epa.gov/oust/petroleumbrownfields/pbfinance.htm and www.epa.gov/brownfields. 

Discussions with these partners can identify public and private funding sources that address 

environmental, demolition, or other costs associated with site preparation and redevelopment. 

Examples of funding sources and tools that stakeholders utilize in support of petroleum 

brownfield projects may include but are not limited to: 

■ 	 State petroleum cleanup funds 

■		 EPA Brownfield Assessment, Cleanup, and Revolving Loan Fund grants, Section 128(a) 

State and Tribal Response Program funds 

■		 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development 

Block Grants (CDBG), Section 108 loans, HOME Funds 

■ 	 U.S. Small Business Administration loans 

■ 	 U.S. Department of Commerce Petroleum Environmental Cleanup Fund Awards (PECFA) 

■ 	 State-specific economic and community development funds 

■ 	 The National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Appalachian Regional Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, and the Economic 

Development Administration are examples of some of the federal agencies that can 

support activities on brownfields properties 

■ 	 State financial tools; for example, Wisconsin’s Financial Resource Guide For Cleanup And 

Redevelopment (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/rr/archives/pubs/RR539.pdf) 

■ 	 Tax credits or increment financing also can be a financial resource for projects 

■ 	 Private funding streams, including construction loans, private Real Estate Investment 

Trusts (REITs), and developer equity bonds 

EPA’s Brownfields Federal Programs Guide lists funding specific to brownfields projects; see 

www.epa.gov/brownfi elds/partners/bf_fed_pr_gd.htm. 

In addition to financial support, technical assistance is available from EPA and state regulatory 

agencies. Many state and tribal environmental agencies also provide direct assistance for 

environmental site investigation. 

EPA’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields communities (TAB) grants provide geographicallybased technical assistance and training to communities and other stakeholders on brownfields 

issues with the goal of increasing a community’s understanding and involvement in brownfield 

cleanup and revitalization. TAB grants serve as an independent source of information 

assisting communities with: community involvement; better understanding the health impacts 

of brownfield sites; the science and technology relating to brownfields site assessment, 

remediation, and site preparation activities; brownfields finance questions; and information 

on integrated approaches to brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. For more information 

regarding TAB assistance, see http://epa.gov/brownfields/tools/tab_bifold.pdf. 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 27 
or new

Moving Forward
 


RRedeveloping petroleum brownfields, with 
 

their unique characteristics, requires creative 
 

solutions. EPA is committed to efforts that 

continue the success of assessing, cleaning up, 

and reusing petroleum brownfield properties. 

EPA is working with an array of external 

stakeholders to enhance communications, 

provide needed assistance to potential 

partners, explore policy improvements, and 

establish lasting relationships. Lessons learned through these efforts will result in new hrough these eff ts will result in 

A former gas station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, prior to 

cleanup and redevelopment 

areas of emphasis, new approaches to overcome the barriers to wide-scale petroleum 

brownfields cleanup and revitalization, and further sustainability efforts. 

In continuing to implement its Action Plan, EPA remains committed to pursuing 

specific redevelopment initiatives that support the economic revitalization of petroleum 

brownfields in economically-challenged communities. While EPA recognizes that 

tremendous redevelopment progress has been made across the country, much of 

the progress has focused on restoring larger urban areas. EPA is also committed to 

understanding the needs of rural economically-challenged regions and providing tools 

and resources specific to rural communities. While redevelopment projects can help 

change the face of a community and protect public health and the environment, it is also 

important to facilitate projects that can help restore economic viability and provide much 

needed amenities for local citizens. 

After cleanup, Sherman Perk opened on the former gas station property 

28 Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reuse Option 
Petroleum Brownfi elds: Selecting A Reuse Option 29

United States Solid Waste and EPA 510-R-09-004 

Petroleum Brownfields: Selecting A Reu se Optio En n 29 vironmental Emergency Response October 2009 

Protection Agency 5401P www.epa.gov/oust/