Establishing Indicators to Evaluate Brownfield Redevelopment

Abstract

In this research, the authors identify and assess economic and environmental criteria useful for analyzing local government brownfield programs. Based on their results, the authors suggest that property values, private investment, public investment, and grant funding are common constituents of local government brownfield programs. After settling on criteria for these program features, the authors apply these to a case example in Charlotte, North Carolina, to assess their usefulness for a local program. The authors recommend several indicators be recognized as common, practical, and valid measures for assessing the viability of local brownfield programs. To institutionalize standard measures, however, states must require such data collection through Brownfield Agreements with private developers. To standardize indicators, there must be federal leadership to ensure uniformity and comparability across levels of governments and programs. The Environmental Protection Agency must direct the collection of useful factors for assessing successful brownfield conversion.