Research & Publications -> On-going Research -> Brownfield Research

Brownfield Research

A brownfield is a piece of property, commercial or industrial, which is contaminated or is perceived to have contamination. This property may be abandoned, vacant, or underutilized but also has the potential for redevelopment.

Properties classified as brownfields pose difficulties for local public officials but also offer opportunities for future reinvestment. Many properties are in prime locations, have infrastructure facilities, and could be redeveloped. At the same time, parcels remain unused for long periods of time, possibly because of the costs associated with remediation and/or a fear that purchasing the property will involve major legal and other expenses. Nevertheless, some cities have moved ahead in redeveloping brownfield parcels.

The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) began studying the impact of brownfields on municipalities in 2000. Two major research projects have been completed (2001 and 2002) and IIRA is now engaged in a third study planned for publication in 2005.

Current Research

Research is currently being conducted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) on the economic and social outcomes resulting from brownfields redevelopment from the perspective of private developers. The study involves an in-depth examination of 15 stratified brownfield sites, all of which have been enrolled by private sector participants in the Site Remediation Program and were included in the 2002 municipal brownfields survey conducted by IIRA. The main deliverable from this project will be a report analyzing redevelopment strategies used, project outcomes, and measures of success for the remediated brownfield properties. Findings from this project will be presented at professional and academic settings and will also be reviewed in various publications.

Funding for this research project is provided by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Western Illinois Regional Council with assistance from the Illinois Municipal League. The expected publication date is January 2005.

Brownfields Cleanup and Reuse in Illinois Municipalities

Project Abstract

In fall 2002, IIRA, working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), the Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC), and the Illinois Municipal League, surveyed 86 municipalities in Illinois that manage 229 brownfield parcels to determine the types of investments made and the actual or expected outcomes. All surveyed sites met one of the following criteria: a) obtained a No Further Remediation letter; b) received an Illinois Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment grant; c) received a Targeted Brownfields Assessment completed by IEPA; or d) obtained an USTfields Pilot Grant from U.S. EPA.

The project included two mail surveys: 1) a general survey to gather basic information on the conditions of the municipalities as well as experiences with brownfield remediation and redevelopment; and 2) a parcel-specific survey to obtain information on previous uses, investment, and project outcomes for individual sites. A total of 51 (60%) municipalities responded to the general survey, and 121 of the parcel-specific surveys were returned (53%). In addition, on-site interviews with local public officials, business investors, and other groups involved in the decisions, provided supplemental information for the report. Case studies were conducted in five cities in addition to the survey analyses to provide a more in-depth study of the brownfield remediation and redevelopment process.

The report examines: 1) existing literature on brownfields dealing with uses, performance measurement, challenges, and best practices; 2) characteristics and economic conditions of municipalities involved in brownfields redevelopment; 3) monetary investment, employment outcomes, and expected outcomes when available; 4) extent of involvement and management by local government and major agencies; 5) limitations to redevelopment; and 6) brownfields redevelopment projects, policies, and resulting outcomes in five specific cities. Analysis based on regions in the state (Cook and collar counties versus downstate) as well as comparisons based on a city's self-assessment of economic conditions (prosperous versus stable or declining) provide a categorical examination of the processes and impacts of brownfield redevelopment.

Research Outcomes

The research documented that brownfield remediation and redevelopment can represent a significant source of economic stimulus for a municipality by attracting both public and private investment and increasing employment. In addition, substantial increases in public returns in the form of assessed valuation, retail sales tax revenues, and number of building permits issued were reported by responding municipalities. While job creation and retention occurring from brownfield redevelopment projects can be significant, the actual number of jobs created and/or retained is sometimes less than existed in the properties' previous uses as jobs shift from manufacturing to services.

Municipalities indicated that the non-monetary benefits arising from brownfield projects included improving aesthetics by removing an eyesore, helping to prioritize local economic development projects, and decreasing a perceived health risk significantly impacting the community. A shortage of local funding was indicated as the most limiting factor for brownfields redevelopment. In addition, perceived potential liability and environmental regulations also were concerns for municipalities. However, due to policies passed in 2002 to increase liability protection as well as efforts by IEPA to ease potential liability concerns, the level of perceived potential liability has decreased, as is apparent by comparing the 2000 and 2002 surveys conducted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. Although the redevelopment process can be complicated, involvement by a local champion and governmental assistance and resources enhances the brownfield experience as is evident in the case studies.

Deliverables from Research

Brownfields Cleanup and Reuse in Illinois Municipalities. 2004. Norman Walzer, Michelle Norris, Gisele Hamm, and Lori Sutton This report details the project findings and includes several in-depth case studies of communities that have undertaken brownfields remediation efforts. The report focuses on how the returns that communities and businesses expect from their investment have been measured and are used in the monitoring process. An abbreviated version this report, Experiences with Brownfields Cleanup and Reuse in Illinois Municipalities, provides a brief summary of the longer report. Both reports are available on IIRA's web site: www.iira.org.

Municipal Experiences with Brownfield Redevelopment. February 2004. Illinois Municipal Review. Norman Walzer and Gisele Hamm. Available: www.iml.org/rm/mags/2004/Review%2002-2004.pdf.

Brownfield Remediation and Redevelopment in Illinois. March 2004. Illinois Municipal Review. Gisele Hamm and Norman Walzer. Available: www.iml.org/rm/mags/2004/Review%2003-2004.pdf.

Municipal Experiences with Brownfield Cleanup and Reuse. 2004. Gisele Hamm and Norman Walzer. Rural Research Report. 15(6). Available: www.iira.org.

Presentations from this project will also be made at professional and academic meetings.

Brownfields in Illinois Municipalities

Vacant and abandoned properties, especially those with potential contamination, are often associated with large metro areas. However, many small and rural communities face the same issues but may not have the expertise to work with available programs. This report describes the findings of a survey of Illinois municipalities regarding types of brownfields, obstacles faced in working with them, types of projects underway, and a variety of other issues.

Solutions to the vacant and abandoned property issue often require intervention by a public agency, perhaps of the municipal government, a state agency, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. New sources of funding and technical assistance have become available in recent years to assist local governments, especially municipalities.

Deliverables for Research

Brownfields in Illinois Municipalities. 2001. Norman Walzer, Shannon Duncan, and Lori Sutton To market these programs effectively and to help municipal officials identify potential brownfields, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, working with the Illinois Municipal League and the Western Illinois Regional Council, asked IIRA to conduct a mail survey of Illinois mayors during the summer of 2000. The survey included many questions ranging from types of vacant and abandoned properties in the community to the priorities for selecting specific properties for redevelopment. This report analyzes and summarizes these findings. Available: www.iira.org/pubsnew/publications/IIRA_Reports_175.pdf.

Brownfields and Local Economic Development. 2002. Shannon Duncan. Rural Research Report. 13(3). Available: www.iira.org/pubsnew/publications/IIRA_RRR_558.pdf.

Municipalities and Agencies That Provide Brownfield Assistance. October 2001. Shannon Duncan, Norman Walzer, and Lori Sutton. Illinois Municipal Review. Available: www.iml.org/rm/mags/2001/Review%2010-2001.pdf.

Brownfield Redevelopment Approaches. February 2001. Norman Walzer, Lori Sutton, and Shannon Duncan. Illinois Municipal Review. Available: www.iml.org/rm/mags/2001/Review%2001-2001.pdf.

Municipal Responses to Abandoned Properties. January 2001. Norman Walzer, Lori Sutton, and Shannon Duncan. Illinois Municipal Review. Available: www.iml.org/rm/mags/2001/Review%2001-2001.pdf.

Status of Brownfields in Rural Illinois. October 2000. Norman Walzer. Illinois Municipal Review. Available: www.iml.org/rm/mags/2000/Review%2010-2000.pdf.