Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund
The Department of Commerce’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) helps local and regional governments, non-profit agencies and private businesses cleanup and redevelop Brownfields sites. Brownfields sites are properties that were once used for industrial purposes, but need to be cleaned up before they can once again support businesses and create jobs.
It’s a solid investment. For every $1 the state has spent to clean up Brownfields sites, it has generated $12 in local and state tax revenues, $14 in payroll value, and $64 in business revenue.
A Gateway to Industrial Redevelopment
To manage Brownfields projects statewide, the Department of Commerce used a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of Ecology provides the services of its qualified environmental professions through its Voluntary Cleanup Program.
Washington State Brownfields Conference
Join us for the Washington Brownfields Conference in Spokane May 29th – May 30th. Cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields is key to local economic development efforts, turning perceived problems into community assets, such as affordable housing. The goal of this conference is to bring together public and private sector stakeholders in Washington and the Inland Northwest to share information on brownfields redevelopment successes and future opportunities.
Success Stories
Historically, the “Rainier Court III” site in South Seattle has been used for industrial use, paint storage, vehicle maintenance and salvage and illegal garbage dumping. Using over $472,102 in Brownfields Revolving Loan Funds (BRLF), SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) cleaned up the hazardous materials on the project site. The third phase of the reclamation project, Columbia Gardens at Rainier Court, added 70 new units for low-income seniors. The project employed 150 people and cost $13 million.
Program Links
Washington State Partners
More Success Stories...
Village Cove
From 1931 to 1977 the site of the Village Cove project was a laundry and dry cleaning business that had underground tanks for its fuel oil and cleaning solvents. The Village Cove project includes community space on the first floor and 28 housing units on the upper floors for seniors. The facility cost nearly $15.1 million and generated 106 construction jobs.
The Claremont
The Claremont is a mixed-use development with retail, office, and rental apartments. It meets green building and energy standards. It has a roof garden. The Claremont offers 58 mixed-income rental units with 10 townhouses. The first floor provides approximately 6,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The site served as a former gas station and auto garage for nearly 40 years and then became a Chubby & Tubby
Palouse Producers
The City of Palouse is using $276,520 from the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program to clean up contaminants and physical hazards, and prepare this site for redevelopment. The site will become attractive for a range of potential commercial uses and/or for senior housing. Not only is the site on the banks of the Palouse River, but it is next to the newly renovated Palouse Health Clinic.
Need help?
Sheila Lee
Program Manager
sheila.lee@commerce.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 878-1498