US EPA defines ‘brownfield’ as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.”

The Pioneer Valley’s industrial legacy has left our cities and towns – especially our downtowns and village centers – with hundreds of abandoned and underutilized properties, ranging from historic riverfront mills to former gas stations and dry cleaners. These brownfield properties often hinder revitalization efforts and can threaten human health and the environment.

Cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields restores community livability, protects people and natural habitats, enhances local tax revenues, and provides sustainable sites for job creation, housing, and recreation.

Typically, brownfields are prepared for redevelopment through three main phases: