1. Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington O
Starpointe Corridor
Redevelopment Authority of
the County of Washington O
Crossroads Corridor O O
Mon Valley Corridor
Board of Directors
John Mark Hunter - Chairman
Joe Gowern - Vice Chairman
Angelo Armenti, Jr. Ann Dugan
Joyce Ellis
Bill McGowen - Executive Director

2. Washington County Brownfield Assessment Program
Revitalizing Communities by
Redeveloping Brownfields

3. What is a Brownfield?
An abandoned, idle, and/or underused property (industrial or commercial) where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by the potential presence of pollutants.

4. Examples of Brownfields
Former Industrial Sites
Closed Factories and Mills
Closed Chemical Plants
Mine Scarred Land
Former Strip Mines
Mine Refuse Piles
Former Service Stations
Gas Stations with old underground storage tanks
Maintenance & Repair Shops with petroleum and/or cleaning solvent contamination

5. Impacts of Brownfields
Human Health & Environmental Hazards
Problems caused by brownfields may include the pollution of soil, groundwater & streams by petroleum products, hazardous chemicals or mine drainage and of air by asbestos or other airborne chemicals.

6. Impacts of Brownfields
Economic Hurdles
Redevelopment of brownfields often costs more than developing “greenfield” properties.
The cost of remediation exceeds the developers budget
When developers choose to build on undeveloped land, sprawl is increased and property values remain depressed in the blighted areas.

7. Washington County Brownfields
The Redevelopment Authority has identified 133 potential brownfields.
These brownfields account for approximately 10,000 acres of potentially contaminated property, almost 2% of the county’s total area.

8. What can be done?
The Redevelopment Authority set a high priority for remediation and reuse of brownfields
Two grant applications were submitted to and approved by the US EPA ($400K)
The Washington County Brownfield Assessment Program is developed.

9. Brownfield Assessment Program
Inventory of brownfield properties contaminated with hazardous or petroleum substances
Database to maintain information about properties
Input from elected officials, community-based organizations & general public
Educational meetings

10. Brownfield Assessment Program
Western PA Brownfield Center provides model for site selection process
Site selection process includes review of property attributes
Brownfield properties selected for Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)

11. Brownfield Assessment Program
Property owners complete an application process
Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments are conducted (Total of 10 to 20)
CEC assists with the development of reuse plans for properties assessed

12. Phase 1 ESA
A Phase 1 ESA answers the question: Is there potential for contamination to exist on the property?
Consists of:
Visual inspection of the property
Interviews with landowner(s)
Historic records review (aerial photographs, topographic maps, fire insurance maps, and title records)
Government agency file review
Phase 1 ESA Report lists potential environmental concerns and recommendations for sampling and testing.
These recommendations set the stage for the next step, the Phase 2 ESA.

13. Phase 2 ESA
A Phase 2 ESA follows the recommendations of the Phase 1 ESA.
Includes sampling and analysis of soil, groundwater, surface water, and potential asbestos-containing building materials.
The Phase 2 ESA answers the question: Does contamination actually exist on the property?

14. Site Reuse Plans
Site Reuse Plans based on Phase 2 findings of identified risks and recommended cleanup options. Includes:
Risk Evaluation
Cleanup Plans
Cleanup Cost Estimates
Brochures to assist property owner with marketing property
Enables landowners and perspective purchasers to negotiate sale price based on fact rather than perception.
Highlights property’s potential BEFORE the sale, increasing value to perspective purchasers and sale price for landowner.

15. Benefits of Brownfield Redevelopment
Increase local tax bases
Facilitate job growth
Utilize existing infrastructure
Improve blighted property
Take development pressure off undeveloped open land

16. Contact Information
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Robert C. Dlugos, P.G. – Project Manager
David N. Olson, P.G. – Senior Project Manager
Four Triangle Lane, Suite 200
Export, PA 15632

17. Contact Information
Susan L. Morgan
Brownfields & Municipal Planning Manager
100 West Beau St. Suite 603
Washington, PA 15301