Brownfields Redevelopment  Toolbox

Step 1 - Community Readiness  

Step 1 - Community Readiness (sub-directory)

Create a Land and Building Inventory

Create a Land and Building Inventory of properties identified for reuse and redevelopment. These include vacant, idle, underutilized, aging buildings and properties that are generating lower taxes than market value properties in similar areas. 

Note: this is an inventory of properties identified for improvement and not a brownfields inventory and can include sites without environmental issues/concerns. 
  • It is impossible to create an inventory of “contaminated sites” or “brownfields” without substantial proof of contamination. To name a property on a “brownfield inventory” without proof may lead to legal recourse and disdain from the property owner and community.
  • Consult with a Municipal Solicitor before consolidating and naming this list/inventory. It may be necessary to be creative with the name (e.g. Inventory of Identified “Improvement Areas”, “Special Sites”, “Smart Growth Opportunities”, “Value Impacted Areas”, etc.). Remember this is not a brownfields inventory and should not be identified or named as such.
 Nature and Extent of Inventory

What is the nature and extent of our municipality's contaminated lands and brownfields?
  • It is necessary to perform a survey and create an inventory (listing) of all probable sites that can be included in a Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
  • Some properties identified in the Inventory may be clean sites or relatively clean sites but are affected by the stigma and façade of neighbouring sites and community decay.
  • This is an estimation of possible brownfield properties and an environmental, economical and social impact associated with these sites.
  • Create the inventory and map out the properties and boundaries to aid in the CIP.
 Methods to Create Inventory

Review current and former land use to delineate current industrial and business uses.
  • Identification of all current and former gas station sites
  • Identification of current and former industrial sites
  • Identification of current and former municipal facilities
  • Map of current and former rail lines & yards and listing of properties/sites that may have been affected by spills, etc.
  • Listing of vacant sites and buildings
Typical Methods:
  • Review all Records of Site Condition (RSC’s) and those being presently remediated
  • Review historical maps, fire insurance maps, records of former surrounding Townships, etc.
  • Windshield survey of probable sites (fenced and/or idle sites, above-ground storage tanks, vats, chemicals, etc.)