TOD Technical Assistance Initiative

Here at CCLR, we’re deeply interested in Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Redeveloping vacant or underutilized properties with an eye toward transit, mobility and access is a best practice, and helps promote sustainable, economic growth, and community health. Consider that compared to sprawl, brownfields redevelopment projects lower vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions by 32 to 57 percent, and a big part of that is TOD.¹

The NJ Brownfields Interagency Working Group (NJ IAWG) collaborated with the NJ Mayors Association (NJ UMA) to deliver an invaluable workshop on redevelopment and community goals to promote economic revitalization in New Jersey urban communities.

The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) and New Partners for Community Revitalization (NPCR)  set out to make the “Brownfield Redevelopment and Community Revitalization” Summit the most consequential meeting of redevelopment practitioners in New York State in 2017.

On Saturday, June 3rd, they came as Wonder Woman, Shrek, fire fighters and other superheroes to Gresham’s Rock the Block, a family-oriented celebration that featured organizations providing community members access to much needed, life-changing resources.

The Center for Creative Land Recycling, in partnership with the CA Department of Toxic Substances Control held a free half-day workshop and walking tour in Vista, focusing on recycling underutilized land for economic development, renewable energy, and affordable housing.

The fourth biennial Sierra Fund conference, focused on finding ways to reclaim and remediate mine-scarred lands in the Sierra, took place at the Sacramento State University on May 8th and 9th. The full slate of programming was kicked off by Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin, CEO of the Sierra Fund, who spoke about the grip that absentee landowners have over the land in the Sierra. The stage for a frank conversation about land-use and equity was further set by Lawrie Mott, a former scientist with the National Resources Defense Council, who begged the question: “Can our 20th Century water systems survive the 21st Century climate reality?”

The Center for Creative Land Recycling held the year’s premier brownfields redevelopment event, the 3rd Cumbre para el Desarrollo de Brownfields, on May 10th at Centro Gubernamental Minillas, Torre Norte in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The free, all-day event provided 160 attendees with the tools necessary to redevelop contaminated or underutilized land, also known as brownfields. 39 out of the island’s 78 municipalities participated, in addition to multiple NGOs and civic leaders. Redeveloping brownfields supports economic development, stops the spread of urban sprawl, and has positive impacts for public health. 

The California EPA Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC),  has funds available to assist with the investigation and cleanup of brownfields. 

California cities are littered with properties that discourage economic activity, attract crime, depress property values and degrade quality of life. Communities seeking to convert blighted areas to commercial, industrial, residential, mixed-use, open space or other productive uses lost their primary tool when the state eliminated redevelopment agencies. However, Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) and Community Revitalization Investment Authorities (CRIAs) are new economic development tools that offer the use of tax-increment financing. Communities statewide are exploring ways to use these tools, which require innovative approaches and new partnerships to maximize their potential.

EPA provides contractor assistance to research historic property uses, conduct environmental sampling and identify cleanup options and cost estimates. By submitting a short, on-line application, public entities, nonprofits and tribes can access up to $100,000 worth of technical assistance for eligible sites. At no cost to the applicant, EPA contractors evaluate whether a property is contaminated and provide follow-up recommendations. EPA prioritizes sites in underserved areas that are ready for redevelopment and accepts applications on a rolling basis.