Brownfield Sites

What is a brownfield?

It is a property whose expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence (or potential presence) of hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminants. Frequently, they are former industrial properties where operations may have resulted in environmental impairment.

Why redevelop Brownfields?

Redevelopment of these sites result in new public spaces, new job opportunities, new urban real estate, and, ultimately, the reversal of decades of environmental injustice. The removal of the blight, alone, is addition by subtraction; but the benefits run much deeper. Adaptive reuse of vacant, contaminated, and underutilized properties requires greater up-front investment, but also carries the most sustainable value proposition for the region – especially since these sites are in our population centers, along our waterfronts, and have proximity to abundant infrastructure and workforce. For more information on brownfields, please visit https://www.epa.gov/brownfields.

EDGE–USEPA Brownfields Assessment and Revolving Loan Fund Project

Mohawk Valley EDGE manages Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants to inventory, assess, investigate, and develop remediation plans for brownfields in our service area. EDGE is working on multiple EPA Assessment and Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) projects to foster new development across our region. On our website, you will find more information on reassessing contaminated sites and brownfields in our area, including full details from the Environmental Protection Agency, quick facts on projects, and other updates.

What’s Next for Our Brownfield Sites?

As a result of rigorous site assessments and community engagement strategies, EDGE’s program has unlocked the doors to new revitalization opportunities across our service area. Some sites that have undergone Phase I ESA's become eligible for more comprehensive analyses under Phase II ESAs. For others, EDGE is actively pursuing additional grant funding and completing capital projects to achieve full remediation. EDGE will continue to work with communities to eradicate these notorious brownfields and reverse the cycle of disinvestment. Through these efforts, EDGE will reintroduce brownfields as valuable real estate in our cities, villages, and towns.

EPA Assessment

Oneida County has a long history of industrial and commercial uses that left behind a legacy of contamination. The goals of the EPA grant are to prioritize and assess strategic brownfield properties, return tax delinquent brownfield sites to productive use, and facilitate brownfields redevelopment. Overgrown brownfield sites and decaying structures create challenges and opportunities for stabilization and revitalization strategy, turning blight to bright developments.

Current Assessment Sites:

Mele Manufacturing - Utica, NY
Legends Sports Bar - Rome, NY
St. Luke's Hospital - Utica, NY

EPA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

More Info

Interested in our ongoing projects?

Contact MV Edge

Marc Barraco, Chief Administrative Officer
mbarraco@mvedge.org
(585) 471-0273

Please Note: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 provides that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The Act goes on to explain that the statute shall not be construed to authorize action with respect to any employment practice of any employer, employment agency, or labor organization (except where the primary objective of the Federal financial assistance is to provide employment). Section 13 of the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act provides that no person in the United States shall on the ground of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended. Employment discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in all such programs or activities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall solely by reason of disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Employment discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in all such programs or activities. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 provides that no person on the basis of age shall be excluded from participation under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Employment discrimination is not covered. Age discrimination in employment is prohibited by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 provides that no person in the United States on the basis of sex shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Employment discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in all such education programs or activities. Note: an education program or activity is not limited to only those conducted by a formal institution. 40 C.F.R. Part 5 implements Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. 40 C.F.R. Part 7 implements Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 13 of the 1972 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

MV EDGE’s designated civil rights coordinator is the chief administrative officer (CAO)