Regions and Revolving Loan Funds

In 1997, the South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) began the Eastward Ho! Brownfields Partnership to reduce development pressure on sensitive lands in the region’s western area. It was designated an EPA National Showcase Community in 1998. SFRPC partnered with local, state and federal government stakeholders and private companies to promote brownfields redevelopment. The initiative is currently sustained by funding from state and local sources. SFRPC also received $2.2 million from EPA to capitalize a revolving loan fund, which so far has assisted two businesses with remediation.

The organization estimates that 2,100 brownfields sites exist within the three-county region, and about 390 have received a Phase I or more detailed environmental assessment. Of those, 75 sites need no further action and 20 have already undergone remediation.

Several sites are already being redeveloped, or plans are underway. Terry Manning, Senior Planner and Brownfields Coordinator for SFRPC, says, “We’re finding that any land that is available becomes a prime target for development, because we’re out of land.” That makes affordable housing difficult to find.

Several sites have become housing for low-to moderate-income households. Other projects include commercial centers that hire local residents and mixed-use neighborhoods that offer residential and commercial, office space, community centers, transit hubs and health care facilities. Redevelopment is expected to provide the region with at least 2,000 jobs and 600 new housing units.

Manning says that brownfields redevelopments have noticeable spillover effects as well. “Generally, communities have seen positive effects from redevelopment. They’re getting the eyesores of the neighborhood back into productive use, and then that spurs other development.”