The History of the EPA Brownfields Program: Stories of Renewal and Revitalization

The EPA's Brownfields Program has been a key driver in transforming abandoned and contaminated properties into community assets. To celebrate its journey, we've gathered insights from the individuals who helped launch and shape the program over the years. These four videos highlight the program's origins, the challenges it sought to address, the impact it's had, and what makes it successful. 

Watch these videos to learn from the people who helped create the Brownfields Program and how it has evolved into a model for revitalizing communities across the nation. 

1. What was it like in the 1990s just before the Brownfields Program started? 

(Run time: 1:41)

In this video, key figures from the early days of the Brownfields Program share what it was like in the 1990s when the need for such a program first became clear. The U.S. was struggling with real or potential environmental contamination at downtown sites, commercial corridors and the like. Most sites did not meet the Superfund criteria. Developers were hesitant, and urban sprawl was taking over. 

Key Points: 

• Linda Garczynski (first Director of EPA's Brownfields Program) recalls the early struggles and the stigma surrounding contaminated sites. 
• Matt Ward (CEO of Sustainable Strategies DC) talks about how contamination led to the abandonment of inner cities. 
• Leah Yasenchak (Co-founder of Brownfields Redevelopment Solutions) highlights the frustration of seeing lightly contaminated sites go undeveloped due to liability concerns. 

Watch the video to hear more about the start of the movement that changed how we view contaminated sites. 

2. What problems was the Brownfields Program made to address? 

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The Brownfields Program was created to address a critical gap in environmental cleanup and community development. This video dives into the problems that led to the program's creation, including the unintended consequences of Superfund liability and the stigma around contaminated properties. 

Key Points: 

• Elliot Laws (Administrative Trustee of the Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response) explains how smaller, contaminated sites like abandoned gas stations were ignored.
• Todd Davis (CEO of Hemisphere Brownfields Group and primary author for the National Bar Association's book on Brownfields Development) emphasizes how the program began to help communities impacted by blight and contamination, especially in underserved areas. 

Watch this video to understand why the program became crucial for addressing blighted properties and spurring economic development. 

3. What impact has the Brownfields Program made on communities? 

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The Brownfields Program has helped transform neighborhoods across the country, breathing new life into once-neglected areas. In this video, participants reflect on the profound changes the program has brought, from job creation to environmental cleanup and revitalization. 

Key Points: 

• Jill Gaito (founder of a women-owned business enterprise firm focused on Brownfields Redevelopment Strategies and Funding Solutions) shares how brownfields are now seen as opportunities, not just problems. 
• Linda Garczynski discusses the positive changes in communities, including cleaner environments and new economic opportunities. 
• Todd Davis highlights how the program has evolved to support a wide range of community-driven projects, from parks to housing and small business. 

Watch the video to see how brownfields redevelopment is reshaping communities for the better. 

4. What makes EPA's Brownfields Program successful? 

(Run time: 1:56) 

The success of the Brownfields Program lies in its unique approach, which blends federal support with grassroots efforts. In this video, program pioneers explain what has made the program work and how its collaborative nature has been key to its success. 

Key Points: 

• Elliot Laws emphasizes the importance of the human element in the program's success - working with communities to improve their lives. 
• Michelle Christina (Co-founder of Brownfields Redevelopment Solutions) and Linda Garczynski reflect on the importance of bringing people together - government, communities and nonprofits - to solve local problems. 
• Leah Yasenchak discusses the long-term relationship between the program and local communities, which has led to sustainable redevelopment. 

Watch this video to learn about the people-driven approach that has made the Brownfields Program a model of success. 

These videos offer a unique glimpse into the history of the EPA's Brownfields Program and its ongoing role in community revitalization. From addressing early challenges to becoming a powerful tool for economic and environmental renewal, the Brownfields Program has had a lasting impact. 

As we continue to build on these successes, we hope these stories inspire future brownfields staff, partners and the public to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible for our communities.