The Real Estate Development Academy (RE-Development Academy) is hosting a series of webinars and a Brownfields Conference workshop focused on successful redevelopment practices at some of the toughest sites in the country. Part 3 of the Fall 2021 Webinar Series, “Show Me How: Brownfields Redevelopment in Economically Distressed Areas,” will take place on November 19th, 2021 from 1-3pm ET. Click here to register.
Everyone loves a success story, but the real story is in the details. Part 3 focuses on three successful brownfield redevelopments in economically distressed areas. Developers will show us the numbers in how they made tough projects work and how the community benefitted. Participants will gain a better understanding of possible solutions and approaches to the common challenges experienced at brownfields sites. Emphasis will be on how to attract developers and the tools needed to do it.
Brownfields Redevelopment, Meriden, CT: Meriden Commons
The two-phase 151-unit mixed-income transit-oriented development (Meriden Commons) was the result of a comprehensive planning effort led by the City of Meriden to reuse brownfields sites in downtown Meriden. This public-private partnership between Pennrose, the City of Meriden, Meriden Housing Authority, and the Cloud Company relied on a significant amount of public funds, such as Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Funds, Connecticut Urban Act Funds, and U.S. EPA funds to “ready” the sites for development. In this session, we hope to share some key lessons learned.
Northland Central, Buffalo, NY: Resurrecting a Vacant Factory Complex
We will explore the use of creative financing and multiple tax credit programs to restore a 100-year old vacant factory complex in Buffalo, NY into a vibrant community asset focused on training advanced manufacturing workers, a neighborhood restaurant, public spaces and other manufacturing-related uses.
Toledo Solar: Innovative Partnerships = Key to Sustainable Development
In Toledo, OH, a new solar installation situated in a floodway on the former Jeep site now generates both renewable energy and charitable dollars to support historically disinvested neighborhoods. Learn how this innovative and unlikely project came to fruition through a partnership of local businesses, developers, government agencies and charitable partners. Today, the nearly 3-megawatt array of First Solar panels generates energy for the nearby Dana manufacturing facility with proceeds to be granted out to local projects through the Greater Toledo Community Foundation – guided in part by a completed U.S. EPA Area-Wide Planning brownfields project.