Future Land Use
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Innovative Project FeaturesFeedback
The site revitalization provides an opportunity for innovation with regard to the approach to cleanup and reuse of former industrial/commercial properties. Project teams preparing to take on the challenge associated with revitalizing contaminated properties should consider innovative approaches that have the potential to eliminate or decrease the severity of obstacles to revitalization.
Innovative environmental processes and technologies can be key to the success of the project, particularly with regard to meeting aggressive revitalization schedules, but the effort to include innovative approaches should not be limited to this area. Innovation in areas such as architecture, financing, planning, zoning, construction, and restoration should also be evaluated. Some examples of innovative project features used to promote the success of revitalization projects include:
- Expedited site assessment (including field analytical methods)
- Innovative cleanup technologies
- Voluntary cleanup programs
- Remediation agreements and remediation-in-progress waivers
- Alternative funding mechanisms
- Cost cap and other insurance
- Project planning and design to meet criteria of natural, social, and economic systems
- “Green” architecture
- Engineering controls and deed restrictions
- Tax abatements and tax increment financing
- Demolition techniques
- Strong community involvement in decision making
- Alternative and recycled construction material
Revitalization projects involving contaminated properties are often innovative. Project teams should take the opportunity to fully evaluate approaches that will work best in their specific application rather than experiencing the frustration associated with trying to make conventional approaches suit their needs.