• What is a Brownfield?

    If you've ever passed by a deserted warehouse or old, abandoned gas station and wondered why the property has been left to rot, the reason might be because the property is a brownfield. Brownfields are located in cities and towns in every state across the United States. They're often the result of out-of-business or abandoned commercial enterprises like railroad depots, dry-cleaning shops or gas stations -- places where chemicals were present in significant amounts over time. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines brownfields as "any land in the United States that is abandoned, idled or under used because redevelopment and/or expansion is complicated by environmental contamination that is either real or perceived."

  • How does the NKY Brownfield Program benefit my city/neighborhood?

    Our grants from the USEPA provide funds to create an inventory of affected properties, obtain community input, complete environmental assessments, create redevelopment plans, cleanup contaminated sites, and help market the property. These steps help improve the health of the community and create incentives for businesses and developers to consider property in your city for their uses, which in turn can create jobs and tax revenues. It also eliminates an environmental hazard.

  • Can a private property owner benefit?

    Yes, this is a common scenario. The grantee may identify a privately owned property that they believe has good redevelopment potential, but redevelopment is being hindered by potential contamination at the site. The grantee may invite that owner to allow the grantee to conduct assessment of the property in the hopes that their work will reduce uncertainty associated with environmental conditions at the site, and thereby make the property more attractive to prospective developers or businesses. This also reduces the prospective buyer's due diligence cost since the assessment work is paid by the Coalition with grant funds.

  • What if contamination is found?

    In Kentucky, there are four options:
    • 1. Demonstrating that no action is necessary to protect human health, safety and the environment.
    • 2. Managing the release in a manner that controls and minimizes the harmful effects of the release and protects human health, safety and the environment.
    • 3. Restoring the environment through the removal of the hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant.
    • 4. Combination of procedures including demonstrating contamination is below levels that pose unacceptable risks; managing waste in place; removing or destroying the contamination.


    Please refer to Kentucky Revised Statute 224.01-400 (18) for a more thorough explanation.

  • Brownfield Redevelopment .... Why Bother?

    Expansion, Reuse or Redevelopment of Brownfield Sites:

    • Increases property values and local tax base
    • Reduces the need to develop greenfields
    • Uses existing infrastructure (cost savings)
    • Mitigates public health and safety concerns
    • Improves community image
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Community Input

Successful redevelopment is best achieved when local community members and officials are engaged and actively involved in the process.

 

Contact Us

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 859.283.1885
 859.283.8178
 22 Spiral Dr. Florence, KY 41042

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