Sen. Richardville introduces Brownfield legislation to help revitalize Michigan communities
LANSING - A bipartisan package that will amend the Brownfield Redeveloping Finance Act to encourage further revitalization of Michigan communities was introduced in the state Senate last week, said Randy Richardville, sponsor of the legislation.
"With a background in economic development, I have worked with brownfield redevelopment projects in the past, and I know how valuable they can be to communities," said Richardville, R-Monroe. "I am excited about this legislation because it will add more flexibility to the brownfield program and make it easier to use."
The bills will:
Extend the act from December 2007 until 2012;
Streamline the application and review process for projects submitted to a brownfield redevelopment authority; and
Expand redevelopment opportunities for blighted and functionally obsolete buildings to include non-core communities.
"Allowing for redevelopment of blighted buildings in non-core communities will help more Michigan communities benefit," Richardville said. "By recycling land within cities, communities can reduce pressures on suburban and rural land areas thereby decreasing urban sprawl. Redevelopment projects make sense both economically and environmentally."
Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or under-used industrial and commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is hindered or complicated by real or perceived environmental conditions. Redevelopment projects may occur on either contaminated or blighted property.
A recent study conducted by the Consumers Renaissance Development Corporation ranked Michigan's brownfield program first in the nation for liability protection, cleanup standards financial incentives and government support from both the state and local levels.
Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2007
Print friendly version
Email this page
