On December 16, 2022, Governor DeWine announced $88 million in grant funding for 123 brownfield remediation projects. This marks the third round of funding. Collectively, the three rounds of funding have resulted in a total of $341 million in grant funding awarded in one year. Of the $341 million in grant funds provided $19.2 million
U.S. EPA Endorses New ASTM Phase I Standard
On December 15, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that endorses ASTM E1527-21 which provides a uniform standard for performing Phase I Environmental Assessments. The new rule will have an effective date of February 13, 2023. The EPA endorsement of the new ASTM Phase I standard means that the procedures
Debate Over Cuyahoga County Jail Site Shows Stigma of Brownfields
Cuyahoga County has been engaged in a long search for a new jail. The preferred location is property on Transport Road, which was also the site of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Refinery #1. A significant part of the controversy surrounds whether the site is safe for redevelopment given its industrial past. The debate surrounding the site
Ohio Releases Guidelines for $500 Million in Funding for Brownfield and Demolition Programs
In July 2021, Ohio’s 2022-2023 budget allocated $500 million in new brownfield funding under various development programs: $350 million for the investigation, cleanup, and revitalization of brownfield sites and another $150 million for the demolition of vacant or abandoned commercial or residential buildings.
The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) will administer the funding and is
Ohio Budget Adds $500 Million in Brownfield Funding on a First Come First Served Basis
Since the sunset of the Clean Ohio Program in 2013, there has been a strong push for dedicated funding to address brownfield sites in Ohio. The Ohio 2022-2023 budget just signed by Governor DeWine comes through in a very big way by allocating $500 million in new funding under various programs. The budget allocates $350
New ASTM Phase I Standard Under Development- What to Expect
ASTM International publishes the accepted standard for performance of Phase I environmental assessments to evaluate a property’s environmental condition and assess potential liability for any contamination. U.S. EPA’s “All Appropriate Inquiries” Rule (AAI) recognizes the current ASTM Phase I standard, ASTM 1527-13, is consistent with the requirements of AAI and can be used to satisfy
Ohio’s Transformational Mixed-Use Development Tax Credit Nears Passage
After taking three years to wind its way through the Ohio General Assembly, Senate Bill 39 may pass out of the Legislature by the end of the year. The Bill would create a “Transformational Mixed-Use Development” (TMUD) tax credit. The TMUD tax credit provides a 10% tax credit for documented development costs. If the project
New Ohio Law Reduces Cost and Time for Environmental Cleanups
On June 16, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 168, which provides greater flexibility to manage environmental issues on commercial/industrial property. The bill will take effect on September 14, 2020 (90 days after the governor’s signature).
What issue does H.B. 168 address?
The cost to clean up historical contamination at commercial/industrial properties has
Brownfield Redevelopment and Ohio’s Legacy Cities
The Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) has been calling attention to Ohio’s so-called “legacy cities.” These are the smaller to mid-sized cities across the state other than Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Canton and Youngstown. Cities like Portsmouth, Mansfield, and Lorain.
A recent Dispatch editorial called attention to GOPC’s efforts regarding Ohio’s legacy cities citing
Five Common Mistakes When Purchasing Potentially Contaminated Property
Many businesses or developers are intimidated about purchasing property former industrial or commercial property that may be contaminated. The fear of the unknown can be the biggest deterrent to considering properties that may be contaminated. Common concerns include:
- Could I be buying a potential mess, which could cost me six to seven figures to