The Portland Brownfield Program: Helping neighborhoods revitalize contaminated properties since 1998

Information

For more than two decades, the Portland Brownfield Program has provided environmental investigations on more than 80 properties totaling over 110 acres. We support the transformation of brownfields into affordable housing, community space, nonprofit services, small businesses, and green space.

About the Program

The Portland Brownfield Program provides technical and financial assistance to nonprofit and community organizations, small businesses, community members, landowners, and prospective purchasers regarding potentially contaminated land.

The Brownfield Program is not a regulatory agency, and there is no charge for assistance. The program is here because bringing brownfields back into active use has many benefits. By recovering the land, we protect water quality, reduce hazards to human health and the environment, increase the tax base, and provide new neighborhood amenities.

Find more information about a specific site or about buying, selling, or investigating a potential brownfield or contact the Portland Brownfield Program for questions.

Accomplishments

Environmental investigations provided by the Portland Brownfield Program have contributed to the development of:

19 parks or green spaces
12 community gardens or urban farms
31 nonprofits
32 small businesses
976 affordable housing units

Around $4.3 million of Environmental Protection Agency funding has been awarded through the program. About 33% of that funding has gone to nonprofits, 22% to public entities, and 45% to private property owners.