Real estate terms can sometimes be confusing; but they often get even more complicated when they’re used to classify expansive properties with multiple purposes.

Brownfield is a good example of such a word.  While, certainly, its meaning is relatively simple, its implications are deep and manifold.  Basically, it refers to any tract of land that has been developed for industrial purposes, polluted, and then abandoned.  Obviously, there are countless properties that fit this description, as deserted mills, factories, and mines are everywhere.  In fact, according to some estimates, there are around 450,000 brownfields in the United States.

The defining characteristic of a brownfield, however, is that its expansion or remodeling will be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances.  That makes it more difficult to successfully restore such areas; but there are great rewards to be reaped from doing so.

First of all, it’s a very “green” thing to do.  Besides protecting and improving the environment by eliminating contaminants, it recycles and reuses existing infrastructure and other materials.  Furthermore, it can increase land values in surrounding communities, take development pressures off open lands, contribute to local economies, and spur job growth.

To facilitate this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instituted its Brownfields Program in 1995.  Its purpose was to enable states, communities, and others who had vested interests in economic restructuring, to work cooperatively to safely clean up and sustainably reuse these blighted areas.  Toward that end, the EPA would encourage local governments to implement two-year brownfield pilot projects, by offering them small amounts of seed money.

Eventually, the successful policies that the EPA had created became law, through the passage of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Acts.  Thus, the Brownfields Law enabled further assistance through a number of grants that allowed public and private sectors to accomplish and encourage the sustainable renewal of brownfields.

With all of the incentives available to business owners, land management companies, local governments, and others, this program has, indeed, been a resounding success.  Today, myriad brownfields have been turned into flourishing business complexes, amusement parks, shopping centers, recreation areas, and much more.  Having been cleaned up and re-invented, they are making outstanding contributions to the economic and ecologic rejuvenation of their home towns.

Value Properties at the Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center, located near Pittsburgh, is a shining example of one of these properties.  For more information, call Gene or Debi, at 724-266-4661, or visit ambridgeregional.com.