Source: Alabama Brownfields Association Press Release
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lauren Cooper: 205-241-8127 (office); 205-910-3215 (cell)
Ashley Rogers: 205-241-8102 (office); 205-451-7206 (cell)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –May 16, 2017– In an effort to improve the environment and stimulate economic development, a group of stakeholders has recently formed the Alabama Brownfields Association (ALBFA) to provide education, advocacy and marketing on brownfield sites throughout Alabama. Brownfields are previously used industrial or commercial sites impacted by environmental contamination that have the potential for reuse if the contamination is cleaned up.
The ALBFA will assist the public and private sectors with promoting economic revitalization, land reuse, conservation, restoration, remediation, financial and regulatory incentives, legislative advocacy and education.
“The tremendous support we’ve received in forming this association is a clear indicator of the need for one statewide group, outside of a state agency, to assist in education and advocacy for Alabama’s brownfields,” said Russell C. Griebel, Executive Vice President at United Consulting in Birmingham and 2017 President of ALBFA. "Our goal is to help public and private entities understand that brownfields should not be an impediment to development, but rather a process of identification and resolution that ultimately gives back vital redevelopment opportunities to communities in Alabama, whether for commercial or residential use or green space for parks and recreation.”
Founding members of the association include representatives from Amec Foster Wheeler, Balch & Bingham LLP, Birmingham Business Alliance, BLOC Global Group, Burr & Forman LLP, City of Mobile, E3 Solutions, Highland Technical Services Inc., Matrix Environmental Services LLC, PPM Consultants, Resolute Environmental, Terracon and United Consulting. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is also a founding member and will assist with brownfield education and advocacy for the ALBFA, as well as concentrate on providing funding to clean up brownfield sites.
“ADEM is excited about the formation of the Alabama Brownfields Association and the opportunities to bring together stakeholders from all areas of brownfields redevelopment,” said Phil Davis, chief of the land division at ADEM. “We believe the Department's support for this effort to be an important part of our redevelopment program's goal to rebuild Alabama, brick by brick.”
While it is unknown how many brownfield sites are in Alabama, a number of projects illustrate the impact of their reuse. Previous brownfield sites like the Lyric Theatre and Railroad Park in Birmingham and Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium have played influential roles in the regeneration of the regional economy.
The ALBFA is closely modeled after the Georgia Brownfield Association, which was created in 2011 and has been instrumental in the redevelopment of underutilized and environmentally impacted areas in that state.
To introduce the new association and discuss goals, the ALBFA and ADEM will host the 2017 Alabama Brownfields Conference on August 10 and 11, 2017, at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center on Capitol Hill in Prattville, Ala. The association is offering various sponsorship and exhibit opportunities for the event to showcase professional groups in the brownfield community.
ALBFA is now accepting applications for membership and donations that will go toward hosting the August conference and its work in education and advocacy. Ideal ALBFA members will have backgrounds in architecture, economic development, environmental issues, land consulting, real estate development, governmental affairs and other areas.
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