NYDOS begins Brownfields Smart Growth Communities Initiative

Governor David Paterson and secretary of state Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez introduced the Brownfields Smart Growth Spotlight Communities Initiative.  This initiative links communities participating in the state's Brownfield Opportunity Areas (BOA) Program with the Governor's Smart Growth Cabinet.  This state-local partnership will demonstrate how existing state programs can support and complement local efforts to redevelop brownfields and simultaneously achieve neighborhood revitalization and smart growth objectives.  The Brownfields Smart Growth Spotlight Communities Initiative will start by addressing the needs and revitalization objectives of areas affected by brownfields in the South Bronx; Wyandanch, in the Town of Babylon, on Long Island; and South Buffalo.  This initiative will serve to establish effective practices and techniques that will be transferable to and benefit other communities participating in the BOA Program.  Governor David Paterson said, "Even in these economically trying times, we must remain aware of the need for us to invest in New York's future. The Brownfields Smart Growth Spotlight Communities Initiative helps us to achieve that goal by building on our commitment to the smart growth principles of sensible, balanced development in town and city centers in need of revitalization. The partnership between BOA community participants and my Smart Growth Cabinet will ensure that the improvements we make create jobs and generate growth as we protect our environment." The BOA program is being used by close to 100 local communities across New York State to establish reuse plans that have the potential to convert thousands of brownfield sites into productive, job creating and tax revenue generating properties.  The program is administered by the Departments of State and Environmental Conservation.