By Judy Sheahan
April 11, 2011

More than 15 mayors and former mayors were featured at the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Conference held in Philadelphia April 3-5. Participating mayors showcased the innovative brownfield projects that were underway or completed in their city, challenges they faced, as well as a look towards the future.

At the Opening Plenary session, six mayors were featured including Conference of Mayors Second Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, former mayor of Stamford now Governor of Connecticut Dannel Malloy, Lansing (MI) Mayor Virg Bernero, East Palo Alto (CA) Mayor Carlos Romero, Flint (MI) Mayor Dayne Walling, and Youngstown (OH) Mayor Jay Williams. Howard Fineman, Senior Political Editor of the Huffington Post, moderated the session.

Nutter outlined a wide range of brownfield redevelopment projects that were happening in Philadelphia including an economic resurgence at the Navy Yard, a pier reopening after decades of being closed, a brand new park, urban agriculture on former brownfields, and his efforts to increase green infrastructure throughout Philadelphia to help solve their stormwater runoff problems. Nutter said that one of his goals is for everyone in Philadelphia to be a ten-minute walk from fresh fruit and vegetables.

Malloy talked about his experience in Stamford and how it has helped shape his thinking as he took over as Governor where he is responsible for setting the state's budget and bond priorities. He talked about a number of brownfield redevelopment projects that were done in Stamford that took time and initial investment but that resulted in jobs, economic redevelopment, and tax revenues. He said that, although Connecticut has the largest per capita debt than any other state in the nation, he would be giving more money for brownfields redevelopment because of the long-term economic returns that have been and will continue to be realized.

Bernero discussed the unique challenges he faces as mayor of a city severely impacted by the downturn of the auto manufacturing industry and the closing of a utility 15 years ago that left a historic eyesore in the heart of his city. He talked about utilizing a variety of tax credits including brownfields, historic, and others to attract investors. As a result, $182 million was invested in the former utility site. His next target is the 200-acre site, which was a former General Motors site, which used to employ 30,000 workers but now employs only 6,000. Bernero said that a decision has to be made to invest in these sites. “The EPA and EDA (Economic Development Administration) Brownfields Program should be funded,” Bernero said. “We need to stand up for government that works. We are not going to cut our way into prosperity – we need to invest.”

Romero's city of East Palo Alto is only 2.5 square miles, predominantly Latino and African American, and has a median income $70,000 below the surrounding communities. East Palo Alto was awarded one of the first Brownfields Showcase Communities Grant 16 years ago. With a $1 million investment, they have been able to increase property value from $70 to $164 million, increase property tax by $7 million, build a four star hotel, and create 1,200 new jobs.

Flint also suffered when the auto manufacturers decreased in size but Walling discussed that the key to a city's sustainability was to diversify its economic base. They have turned their former brownfield sites into the Great Lakes Medical Center. They have also developed a composting site for yard waste that saves them $100,000 a year, and they are developing the Old Buick Corridor to attract another industrial base. They are also planning on taking back their riverfront to take advantage of one of their city's natural amenities.

Youngstown suffered a devastating loss when steel production started eroding in the 60s and 70s. Altogether, this community of 70,000 lost 35,000 jobs with brownfields impacting every part of the city. “Redeveloping brownfields is allowing us to redefine ourselves as a community and allowing us to survive,” Williams said. “We are turning sites back into industrial parks and diversifying.” One of their largest redevelopment projects involves a French company, which has invested $650 million in a site that lay fallow for over 20 years. As a result, there will be 400 development jobs and 300-350 permanent jobs.

All of the mayors discussed the importance of taking advantage of the infrastructure available, highlighting strengths and natural amenities, and having a vision. “These economic conditions won't last forever,” Malloy said. “Cities need to examine their role in the world economy and determine where they fit in.”

“The recession won't last forever,” Nutter added. “You need to start planning now as to where you want to go in the future and highlight your strengths. It is not like they are making any more real estate.”

Brownfields are abandoned or underutilized property whose redevelopment is hindered by either real or perceived environmental contamination. For more information about brownfields, go to the website www.usmayors.org/brownfields.