Regaining Ground: 3 Powerful Examples of Successful Brownfields Projects

Community Playmaker

PORTLAND, Maine — On return trips from her old college stomping grounds of Boston, Nancy Martin, business programs manager for the City of Portland, Maine, knows she is home when the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine (CMTM) comes into view. It is arguably the most prominent venue in a development known as Thompson’s Point, which stands out right off Interstate 295. The peninsula setting symbolizes the natural amenities Maine possesses, while the ground below is a prime example of Portland’s desire to maintain its beauty inside and out.

Built on a former rail yard that fell into disrepair as the city’s shipping industry ran out of steam in the 1940s, Thompson’s Point, and specifically CMTM, are certified success stories from Brownfields project funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As has happened on many former industrial sites, the soil on this now vibrant landmark became contaminated. Before breathing new life into blighted locations, cities and developers can apply for EPA assistance in the form of grants and technical expertise to assess and, if needed, remediate the contamination – which may include hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, and mercury.

With the right planning, public and private financing, and dedicated organizations and governments, brownfields can become instrumental in city revitalization efforts. Affordable housing projects, retail developments, city parks, and cultural attractions are among the brownfield solutions seen across the United States.

See more here: https://communityplaymaker.com/features/regaining-ground-3-powerful-examples-of-successful-brownfields-projects/