Hahn Introduces Legislation to Facilitate Brownfield Redevelopment Projects

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-44), along with Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19), introduced the Brownfield Redevelopment and Economic Development Innovative Financing Act of 2014. This bipartisan legislation will put major redevelopment projects back in reach of local governments at a critical time in their economic recovery by re-establishing a guaranteed financing program for brownfields at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This will ultimately make it easier for local communities to transform large scale brownfields into successful redevelopment projects, such as The Boulevards project in Carson, CA. Brownfields are sites that were formally industrial lots and have remained unusable due to the cost of initial clean up.

"Redevelopment of these brownfields means transforming industrial blight into a driver of local and regional economic growth," said Congresswoman Hahn. "While these sites need upfront investment, they represent incredible opportunities for local revitalization and job creation. Unfortunately, there is no current federal funding apparatus to support local communities to begin work on large brownfield development sites. This bill will attract critical private sector resources that will finally allow more large brownfield developments to move forward."

"Throughout Upstate New York, we have project proposals that are in need of innovative financing mechanisms," said Congressman Gibson. "This bipartisan concept would allow critical development projects to move forward in a way that creates jobs and revitalizes communities."

"The City of Carson applauds Congresswoman Hahn's leadership in introducing the Brownfield Redevelopment and Economic Development Innovative Financing Act of 2014," said Carson Mayor Jim Dear. "The Boulevards at South Bay Project, in Carson served as the inspiration for this federal initiative, and is home to the largest redevelopment project in the last decade in the state of California. This legislation will provide the necessary tools for other cities like Carson in our region and across the country to create impactful redevelopment, economic vitality and sustainability projects. The City of Carson eagerly looks forward to working with Congresswoman Hahn on enacting this important and timely legislation for the benefit of our community."

"We have seen success redeveloping brownfields in my own district," added Congresswoman Hahn. "In Carson, The Boulevards project, once a landfill, will now feature two hotels, retail space, affordable housing, office buildings, restaurants and a movie theater--reviving the local economy and creating a new safe space for the community."

The Brownfield Redevelopment and Economic Development Innovative Financing Act of 2014 has broad public and private stakeholder support including, Weston Solutions, CH2M Hill, Parsons Brinckerhoff, the American Council of Engineering Companies, Smart Growth America, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Brownfield Association, the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and the city of Carson, California.

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