FAQs

What is a Brownfield?

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), a brownfield is a "property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant." The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) similarly defines brownfields.

Brownfields can be as small as individual lots/properties (such as a closed gas station or dry cleaner) or hundreds of acres (previous manufacturing/industrial facilities) and are located in both rural and urban environments. Brownfield properties are typically vacant, underutilized, or deemed undesirable for redevelopment due to past contamination.

Brownfield Examples

Why are Brownfields Important?

The remediation and reuse of Brownfields stimulates additional investment in the county. Underutilized industrial and commercial properties have economic value to a community, and they can function as a catalyst for additional development. These properties typically have access to existing infrastructure (roads, sewer, etc.), reducing development costs. Redevelopment will remove the stigma of blight, increase property values, create job opportunities, and enhance the public and environmental health of the area while putting the properties back into productive use. Redeveloping underutilized industrial and commercial properties can improve the social, economic, and physical health of a community.

What is Shenandoah County's Brownfield Program?

Revitalization of brownfields is important to the economic future of Shenandoah County. Shenandoah County is concentrating on brownfields redevelopment to achieve a vision of directing growth in diverse, quality industries and workforce to the County's towns while enhancing citizens' quality of life.

The vision of growing diverse and quality businesses while enhancing quality of life and the reuse strategies for brownfield sites align with the goals outlined in the county's Comprehensive Plan as well as the Strategic Economic Plan Update.

What is involved with the assessment of Brownfields?

The first step in the assessment of brownfields in Shenandoah County involves a comprehensive search of available properties, with potential or known environmental hazard concerns, that can provide benefit to the surrounding community. Sites have been identified throughout the county to provide shared benefits for all county residents.

Site-Specific Assessments

Various research, field studies, and investigations are conducted that are site specific. Environmental Site Assessments, or ESAs, are the typical first step of a site-specific assessment.

What are the benefits of Brownfields redevelopment and reuse?

Redeveloping brownfields offers a number of benefits to our communities. The redevelopment of brownfields:

Minimizes health risks from contaminants
Improves water and air quality
Eliminates "eyesores"
Increases tax revenue
Provides an opportunity for new amenities/resources for citizens
Promotes neighborhood redevelopment