2024 Arizona Brownfields Workshops: Connecting the Dots – Reuse, Renew, Revitalize

We are excited to announce that the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will host three Arizona Brownfield Workshops this April. Similar content will be presented at all workshops, so choose the date and location most convenient to you! Select the link below and register by navigating to the “Get Tickets” button on the righthand side. You will be presented with the location and ticket type for each individual workshop. Choose the Workshop you’d like to attend and complete the registration.

Registration Now Open!

1. Willcox: April 23, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Golden Rule Vineyards
2. Phoenix: April 24, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Heard Museum
3. Flagstaff: April 25, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Serendipity

The workshops will bring agencies together with a brownfields program (or those thinking of developing one) to learn about revitalizing and reusing vacant properties. They will connect the dots and provide information on resources, funding, challenges, and strategies for redevelopment, leveraging EPA, other federal, and state resources.

Topics to be presented will include:

• Brownfield Grant Programs and Resources
• Tips on writing a successful EPA grant
• EPA Brownfield Grantee Panel & Case Studies
• Funding Opportunities
• Challenges and Strategies for Redevelopment
• A mobile brownfields tour ending the workshop

Interested in sponsoring one or more of the workshops? Read through the sponsorship menu below and fill out this form. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sheryl Gonzales at [email protected].

Sponsorship Menu

Program Schedule

Nuts and Bolts of Brownfields 101

Experts from the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), and the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) shed light on essential resources and funding programs aimed at revitalizing communities through the reclamation of brownfield sites. Brownfields are real properties where real or perceived environmental conditions may complicate expansion, reuse, or redevelopment. The goal is to rejuvenate abandoned, vacant, or underused properties and utilize them to their greatest potential. It is an incentive-driven program with a financial enticement for redevelopment and liability relief. During this interactive session, attendees will gain
valuable insights into the various grant programs and technical assistance these organizations offer to support communities in Arizona and beyond. The speakers will highlight effective strategies to pivot brownfield properties towards adaptive reuse and revitalization, turning them into assets, benefiting communities and their residents.

From Cleanup to Reuse: Funding, Challenges, and Strategies for Sustainable Redevelopment

This session will feature engaging presentations from experienced speakers, including industry experts, and community leaders who will share their expertise, insights, and real-life case studies. We will explore the common challenges and obstacles faced during the transition from cleanup to reuse, including regulatory compliance, community engagement, and environmental considerations. Learn about successful redevelopment strategies and best practices implemented in various case studies. Speakers will share valuable experiences, showcasing innovative approaches that successfully transformed brownfield sites into thriving assets. Whether you are from a municipality, nonprofit, developer, environmental professional, or community advocate, “From Cleanup to Reuse” will provide the knowledge and tools needed to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and develop sustainable strategies to revitalize contaminated sites into assets that contribute to a prosperous and resilient future.

Communities of Engagement & Best Practices: Arizona Brownfield Program Champions, Revitalizing Vacant Spaces with Brownfields

This session brings together a diverse panel of experts from various sectors who have successfully utilized the EPA brownfields funding to support revitalizing vacant or underutilized sites across Arizona. Our panelists represent a rich tapestry of experiences and backgrounds, including affordable housing, workforce development, economic development, renewable energy, and facility development. They hail from municipalities, nonprofits, Tribal governments, and the private sector, offering a comprehensive view of the impacts of brownfields programs on Arizona.

Panelists will share their success stories, challenges faced, and invaluable lessons learned while implementing Brownfields programs. Participants will gain practical insights into how these initiatives have positively impacted their communities, unlocking new opportunities for growth, sustainability, and improved quality of life. This session promises to be a dynamic and collaborative forum, fostering meaningful discussions between attendees and the expert panelists.

Mobile Tours

Willcox Renaissance: Exploring Historic Town Sites and Community Revitalization

Join us for a captivating walking tour of downtown Willcox, Arizona, where we’ll explore the remarkable transformation of previous brownfield sites into vibrant community assets. Starting at 1:15 pm after lunch, attendees will embark on a journey through the heart of downtown, discovering how once-underutilized areas have been revitalized into thriving spaces that enhance the local landscape. From innovative renewal projects to community-led initiatives, this tour offers a firsthand look at the revitalization efforts that have reshaped the fabric of downtown Willcox. The tour will culminate with a wine-tasting opportunity at the Golden Rule Vineyards, where participants can unwind and toast to the spirit of renewal that defines the evolving landscape of downtown Willcox. Join us for an inspiring afternoon of exploration, celebration, and community building in one of Arizona’s most dynamic downtown districts.

From Blight to Bright: Discovering Phoenix’s Brownfield Revitalization and Rio Reimagined Tour

Join us on a transformative journey through the heart of Phoenix as we explore the innovative revitalization of brownfield sites into vibrant community assets. This Mobile Tour offers attendees a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the remarkable evolution of once underutilized areas into thriving spaces that contribute to our city’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. Sites planned for the tour include Rio Reimagined, where attendees will step into the future as we visit sites where the convergence of environmental restoration, urban design, and community engagement has led to revitalizing neglected areas along the Rio Salado. Spaces of Opportunity Community Gardens offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and vitality of vacant lots that have been transformed into thriving urban agriculture hubs. Led by a community initiative, this once brownfield site promotes food security, health, and social cohesion, empowering local residents to cultivate fresh produce and revitalize neighborhoods from the ground up. Affordable Housing sites will also be a part of the tour, where we will visit areas that emerged from former brownfield areas. Delve into the innovative approaches employed to create inclusive, affordable housing options that address the pressing needs of our diverse communities while fostering economic opportunity and neighborhood revitalization. Throughout the tour, expert presentations will provide valuable insights into these transformative projects’ planning, implementation, and impact.

Brownfield to Starfield: Journey through Lowell Observatory’s Renewal in Flagstaff

Experience an evening of celestial wonder at the Lowell Observatory, where the transformative power of brownfields funding has revitalized this historic institution. Following the 3:45 pm workshop session, join us for a guided tour of the grounds, showcasing how brownfields funding played a crucial role in assessing and cleaning up existing buildings, optimizing both manufacturing functionality and visitor experience. Delight in a dinner presentation highlighting this journey, then explore the Observatory’s storied buildings and cutting-edge facilities. Cap off the evening with a stargazing experience led by expert astronomers, all under the vast Arizona sky. This program concludes at 7 pm.