Brownfields Showcase Community Program
The Environmental Protection Agency coordinated the development of this partnership, which brings together various technical and financial resources of government agencies in order to assist in the redevelopment of Brownfield properties. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers are all pledged support to the now 28 Brownfields Showcase Communities which are model projects demonstrating the benefits of collaborative activity on Brownfields.

Dallas Brownfields Forum
The Dallas Brownfields Forum is the cornerstone of the communication/education effort of the City of Dallas Brownfields Program. The Forum has met since November 1995 and has consistently worked to identify solutions to the obstacles and barriers that impede redevelopment of Brownfield sites. This eclectic group of stakeholders has more than 200 members from many vocations. Environmental attorneys and consultants, property owners and developers, state and federal regulators, federal partner representatives, neighborhood association members, academics, and business owners are some of the participants who meet every quarter to discuss topics relevant to Brownfields revitalization.

COMING SOON: Meeting Highlights, Agenda, and an Annual Calendar

Environmental Insurance
Investment in and redevelopment of Brownfield sites have historically been risky ventures. Environmental insurance has come to the forefront as a solution. There are eight or nine major providers that offer products and services to site owners and prospective purchasers. The two types of products which address Brownfields or special property transfer include Pollution Legal Liability (PLL), or basic homeowners insurance for pollution, and Cleanup Cost Cap (CCC) which insures against cost over runs incurred during remedial action at a project site. For more information about environmental insurance, go to the Environmental Services Group or AIG Environmental web sites.

Landfill Reuse
As communities expand, land that was once out of the city limits or in a less than desirable location may now be adjacent to a major expressway, or business park, or within the city limits. Communities nationwide, both urban and suburban, are confronted with a similar concern: 'What is to be done with the old landfill?' Many municipal solid waste landfills used and closed prior to permitting requirements in place today are now prime development locations. There are federal, state and local regulations addressing construction over these sites. Revitalization of closed, pre-permitted landfills is possible and a boon to the community. Learn about how to do it in Texas at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Municipal Solid Waste Permitting web page.

Legislation
Brownfields redevelopment is an evolving sector of the development field. Each state in the U.S. has varying laws, policies, and rules to guide the redevelopment of Brownfields within state's borders. As knowledge and understanding of the issues facing Brownfields sites are obtained, federal and state lawmakers revise existing regulations to promote the cleanup of contaminated sites while continuing to protect the environment and human health. For recent information on pending Brownfields legislation, access the web sites below or contact your state environmental agency.

Environmental Protection Agency 
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Thomas Legislative Information on the Internet

Voluntary Cleanup Program
The TCEQ, the state environmental regulatory agency, runs the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) in Texas. The VCP provides protection from liability to non-responsible parties and future property owners entering the Program. The TCEQ has a web site that includes extensive VCP Guidance, the application and agreement forms, and database. For detailed information, please visit the TCEQ web site.

Brownfields Success Stories

Jefferson North End
This 11-acre site was part of a 22-acre property which had been under commercial development since 1905. Buildings were razed in the 1970's leaving the property vacant for more than 20 years. The site housed a gas station, metal finishing operation, battery manufacturing, automotive repair, and paint and varnish manufacturing. Environmental concerns included lead, volatile organic compounds and petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. Groundwater contamination had naturally attenuated. Two developers purchased the site from FDIC and employed soil excavation to clean up the property. The 11 acres were sold to JPI which built a 540-unit multifamily residential complex on the site.

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Dallas Fire Station # 34
This site was formerly occupied by a used car lot for 20 years. A gas station ad-joins the site on the east. Environmental contamination on the site included shallow surficial lead in the soil and petroleum hydrocarbon in groundwater from an off-site source. The Brownfields Program paid for an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) which was conducted on the site to determine the environmental risk and the cost to clean up the site. Both the environmental concerns and costs to address them were minimal. The City of Dallas entered the site in the VCP and purchased the property in May 1998. Construction of the fire station began on July 5, 2000. Construction was completed in August 2002 and the City received a Certificate of Completion from the TCEQ VCP on August 27, 2002.

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American Airlines Center
The July 29, 2001 issue of Time Magazine featured this multi-purpose entertainment complex which was constructed on the former cooling ponds for an electric power generating plant. The City of Dallas formed a public/private partnership with Hillwood Development Corporation to create the project. Extensive environmental investigation was conducted to identify and delineate environmental concerns. Recognized environmental concerns included fill materials, elevated metals concentrations in fill materials and railroad track ballast, and hydrocarbons in groundwater. No hazardous materials/concentrations were identified on the site. Hillwood financed the environmental investigation and cleanup and the City provided $125 million for public infrastructure. The $425 million facility opened with an Eagles concert on July 28, 2001.

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South Side on Lamar
South Side on Lamar is a City of Dallas Landmark District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through the Historic Preservation Incentives Program, the City authorized tax exemptions for 10 to 15 years valued at almost $10 million. The site includes the entire former Sears, Roebuck Catalog Merchandise Center complex of five buildings totaling more than 1.4 million square feet and approximately 1,500 parking spaces. Throughout the complex, environmental issues included underground storage tanks, asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint. The main building houses 455 residential lofts, commercial space and artists' studios. Other development will include additional commercial and hospitality venues.

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The Site Prioritization Process
The Brownfields Program at the City of Dallas can help property owners deter-mine whether they are eligible for a no-cost Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. Please visit the link below for the application and supporting documentation:

Site Prioritization application