Finding Creative Solutions to Redevelopment Difficulties



Earlier this year, New York State established a brownfield redevelopment strategy. Quickly afterwards, the Iowa State Senate passed a similar bill establishing a redevelopment tax program for brownfield and greyfield websites in that state.

The cost of cleaning brownfield sites can be so high as to prevent them from being developed at all. As a result, the harmful contaminants remain in the environment, posing health risks while the abandoned property simultaneously hinders the area's economic development.

The redevelopment of greyfields normally costs less since there are no harmful contaminants to dispose of. In addition, the existing facilities (consisting of pipes and electrical wiring) can actually lower the expense of development.

A revitalization plan released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2005 recommended greyfields as practical development opportunities because of their often-close proximity to primary traffic arteries and public meeting place like sports complexes.

In 2002, President Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act, which allocated more financing for the clean-up and development of brownfield websites. Sadly, since greyfields pose no genuine ecological or health hazards, there is little federal financing assigned specifically for their development.

However, Iowa's recently passed legislation makes it possible for the state's Department of Economic Development to use up to $5 million of its designated redevelopment tax credits for both brownfield and greyfield sites. The existing redevelopment provision permits an optimum thirty percent credit, based on the overall qualifying financial investment expenses. At minimum, a twelve percent credit is granted for certifying investment in a greyfield site. If the job also fulfills the requirements for "green developments," that credit is bumped up to 15 percent. A minimum 24 percent credit is readily available for brownfield sites, and is increased to 30 percent for green advancements. With this new law in place, more loan is now offered for builders and financiers ready to explore development possibilities on residential or commercial property deemed brownfield or greyfield.

Lawmakers hope the brand-new provision supplies incentive for designers to use old commercial websites and vacant shopping malls, which abound, rather than looking for to build on formerly unused land. Other states are considering comparable legislation as they Mayfair Collection Singapore look for innovative methods to encourage development while keep expenses as low as possible.


Quickly thereafter, the Iowa State Senate passed a comparable bill developing a redevelopment tax program for brownfield and greyfield websites in that state.

Iowa's recently passed legislation allows the state's Department of Economic Development to use up to $5 million of its designated redevelopment tax credits for both brownfield and greyfield websites. A minimum 24 percent credit is offered for brownfield websites, and is increased to 30 percent for green developments. With this new law in location, more loan is now available for investors and home builders ready to explore development possibilities on residential or commercial property considered brownfield or greyfield.

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