A brownfield is a piece of real estate that has, or is perceived to have, environmental contamination. Because of the presence, or potential presence, of environmental issues the property is usually abandoned or idle. Brownfields are potentially valuable real estate that may need some environmental cleanup before they can be put back into productive use.
The purposes of the program are to address environmental issues of contaminated real estate, encourage redevelopment through community involvement, conduct site assessments and necessary clean up, and develop reuse options. Community involvement in the program is facilitated through the Brownfields Redevelopment Committee. The committee is composed of citizens who are developers, bankers, health care givers, regulatory personnel, City and County employees, environmental consultants and environmental activists. They provide input on all of the issues from their unique perspectives.
The program started in 1998 and currently receives funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development through Community Development Block Grants. For more information contact: Glenn Griffith, Escambia County Brownfields Coordinator at (850) 595-3538 or glenn_griffith@co.escambia.fl.us.
