Renew America Success Stories

Renew, Improve, Reuse (Reclaiming and Redeveloping Urban Brownfields)

Description

Serving as a community development bank and real estate agency, the Saint Paul Port Authority through the Renew, Improve, Reuse program has converted 11 brownfield sites into industrial parks.

In Saint Paul, a typical brownfield would likely be found along the railroad corridor, which attracted the region's earliest manufacturing activity. To help facilitate the conversion of these brownfields into environmentally- and economically-sound industrial parks, the Port Authority funds an initial investigation that includes a title search and site examination. If necessary, tests of both the soil and water are also performed. Once specific contaminants have been identified, the Port Authority prepares a study identifying technologies that would be effective in cleaning up the site. Finally, a specific technology is chosen, a Response Action Plan is developed and cleanup begins.

Converted brownfields benefit local neighborhoods through increased safety and security of local residents and businesses. By attracting new businesses, the converted industrial parks serve to raise the average wage of nonmanagement employees, increase the tax base, improve property appearance and foster neighborhood approval.

The Port Authority credits much of its success to community involvement. During each step of the development process, the Port Authority holds public meetings and encourages community response. Community suggestions have led to the establishment of neighborhood job banks and day care facilities.

Program Highlights

Brownfield Restoration Process

• Initial investigation of the site is performed.
• Costs of cleanup are estimated. Whenever possible, the cost of the environmental cleanup is passed on to the party responsible for the contamination.
• In part based on the site's proximity to a local labor force, transportation systems and suppliers or local markets, an estimate of the site's restored value is made.
• Development begins and the Port Authority is refunded for the costs of remediation through the ultimate sale of the property.

Vital Statistics

Program Management/Partnerships: Community involvement is an essential component of Renew, Improve, Reuse. The Saint Paul Port Authority works with local economic development agencies, community groups and government representatives to obtain input and collaboration. MPCA staff are usually invited to speak and update all concerned at public meetings conducted by the Port Authority. USWest and Northern States Power Company (NSP) assisted in the recent development of the Crosby Lake Business Park.

Budget: In review.

Community Served: The 276,000 residents of Saint Paul, and primarily the East Asian immigrant population, many members of which have found significant employment opportunities in newly created businesses.

Measures of Success:

Approximately 1,200 acres of former brownfields have been cleaned up and converted to industrial use.

More than 100 businesses operate on restored brownfield sites, offering employment to thousands of local residents.

Every thousand acres of converted brownfields will generate:

More than 13,000 new and retained jobs.

Additional property tax revenue of $25 million annually.

 Published: May 1997

Success stories designed by Mark W. Nowak

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