Brownfields Redevelopment

Hazardous Waste Program

Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Section - Brownfields Redevelopment

By some estimates, 300,000 to 500,000 abandoned commercial and industrial properties dot the cities, towns and counties of the United States. Often with dilapidated buildings or weed- grown open spaces, these properties have come to be known as "Brownfields." The specter of hazardous chemical contamination has contributed to their abandonment by former owners, reluctance by lending institutions to provide financing for purchase and redevelopment, and avoidance of the properties by developers. Some of this real estate lies in economically blighted neighborhoods in need of jobs, or in highly desirable redevelopment areas such as waterfronts. Despite the opportunities they represent, the sites remain vacant due to real or perceived hazardous substance contamination and the liability that contamination can bring.

The Missouri Brownfield Redevelopment Program is administered by the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Natural Resources. The program's purpose is to provide incentives for the redevelopment and revitalization of "environmentally challenged" properties. Financial incentives are available through the Missouri Department of Economic Development, while the Voluntary Cleanup Program oversees site cleanup. Missouri has several state Brownfields including the St. Louis Arena, Martin Luther King business park and Kansas City Riverfront Development

The Department of Natural Resources' Voluntary Cleanup Program provides oversight for the cleanup of all Brownfield Redevelopment sites in Missouri, whether state or federally funded.

Missouri Environmental Cleanups - Hidden Treasures News Release

Click the map to see where these
50 Hidden Treasures are located.

At first glance many may believe Brownfields are a blight upon the economy of a community and its spirit, however, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has found they are actually hidden treasures.

The department began an initiative to evaluate Brownfields redeveloped in Missouri. The department found, after studying 50 projects completed under the department’s oversight in the Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program, the redevelopment resulted in 11,053 new jobs and over $2.2 billion in investments.

50 Brownfields Completed Projects - Value Added to Missouri's Economy and Environment