Brownfield Redevelopment
Definition
Cleaning up and reusing contaminated industrial sites for new development. Federal and state programs provide funding and liability protections for redevelopment. Transforms liabilities into assets while removing environmental hazards.
Louisville Context
Louisville has 200+ brownfield sites from past manufacturing—contaminated land sitting vacant while development sprawls to greenfields. Dave’s brownfield program: (1) EPA/state grants for environmental assessment and cleanup, (2) tax incentives for brownfield redevelopment, (3) streamlined permitting, (4) priority for West Louisville and industrial areas, (5) community input on reuse (housing, parks, commercial), (6) job creation requirements.
Why It Matters
Brownfields are double liabilities: environmental hazards plus wasted land in neighborhoods that need investment. Cleanup and redevelopment removes hazards, creates jobs, prevents sprawl, and brings investment to neglected areas.
Dave’s Proposal
Prioritize brownfield redevelopment: seek EPA/state cleanup grants, offer tax incentives for redevelopment, streamline permitting, ensure community input on reuse, and require job creation. Focus on West Louisville and industrial areas.