Brownfield Redevelopment: Benefits for Monmouth County
Dr. Judy Shaw Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey E.J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy National Center for Neighborhood & Brownfield Redevelopment February 2, 2009
Goals
Underperforming Sites Cost Money
– Remediate – Reuse
Keep Competitive
– Showcase Successes – Honor Leadership
Communicate Clearly
– Community Commitment – Roles and Efficiencies
Results of Recent Survey
50% town involved financially 50% used state funding 75% involved demolition $$ generally financed by developer Created well-paying permanent jobs Most negotiated PILOTs All negative externalities removed Significant ancillary benefits
County Successes
Inventory brownfields Collect “Project completion sheets” – in a county master file of success Show Mayors benefits that come over time County as central repository and advocate
Credits: Aurora Salvaggio, Exeter Properties
Overview: Plan-it Monmouth!
Environmental Benefits Social & Economic Benefits Developer Attraction Transit & Housing Issues
Environmental Benefits
– Open Space – Protect Resources – air & water – Restore Habitat – fish & shellfish – Reduce Stormwater – capture & reuse – Remediation – clean soil, attractive sites
Level of remediation (unrestricted v. engineering/institutional controls)
– Infrastructure improvements – Opportunity to “Go Green”
Social & Economic Benefits
cleans up the site creates jobs adds more revenue to the local tax base infuses a cash stream into the local economy officials and communities change over time political aspect of redevelopment
– public dislike of the designation of areas “In need of redevelopment” – cost borne by the municipality for the extensive work required in advance of any remedial work
Developer Attraction
– Community support - track it – Local plan & commitment – DEP commitment – County Role
Smaller towns need assistance Communities need help with upfront planning
– Local planning: tie open space and densities
Credits: Woodbridge Township Heyer Gruel Associates
Transit & Housing
– – – Transit Horizons v. Redevelopment Housing Horizon v. Remediation Technical Assistance
–Community Baselines Against Which to Measure Improvement –Visioning and Training –Value of Community Participation
Credits: Burlington County Economic Development
Recommendations
Planning and Preparation Assistance County Charette/Marketing Plan County Data Center
– Incentivize Local Inventories – Post Local Reports
Annual Awards
Rutgers, the State University Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy