2010 Oregon Brownfields Conference Offers Varied Program
Next month’s 2010 Oregon Brownfield Conference and Awards Ceremony will offer attendees an updated, informative program focusing on the latest approaches to Brownfields redevelopment. The theme of the conference, “Sleeves Rolled Up,” reflects the hands-on, practical nature of the information being offered. Also on the program are the Third Oregon Brownfields Awards presentation and a special half-day Brownfields financing workshop. The conference is being held at the Salem Convention Center April 6 and 7.
The challenge to all conference planners is to present information that engages the interests of a wide range of attendees. This is particularly true of our rapidly maturing Brownfields industry where many of the practitioners are past the “101” phase. Keeping that in mind, Oregon conference organizers sought to create an educational event that meets the more advanced needs of seasoned Brownfields professionals while also offering valuable information to newcomers. The agenda highlights discrete parts of Brownfield projects with case studies to demonstrate how those pieces come together to create a successful Brownfield redevelopment.
The conference will begin with concurrent plenary sessions presenting two successful Oregon Brownfields project case studies. Subsequent sessions will focus on specific elements raised by the case studies and tools and practices used by those working in the Brownfields industry to address those issues.
The first case study illustrates the complexities of a large former industrial site, that overcame the stigma of being designated a Superfund site. The project is an example of a successful public/private partnership initiated by a local government.
The second case study is about the redevelopment of a smaller site with more private sector involvement than the first example. It shows the many directions a Brownfields project can take and how the team of players can evolve over time. Both cases illustrate the complexities involved in ascertaining varying levels of environmental liability; building a Brownfields team; negotiating the “deal” and integrating such projects into wider community planning efforts.
Now a Conference tradition, the Third Oregon Brownfields Awards Program Presentation will take place during lunch on the first day of the conference. The awards recognize completed Oregon Brownfields projects that showcase outstanding achievements in Brownfields redevelopment in the state.
Conferees also can attend a session hosted by EPA Region 10 on tips for writing successful EPA Brownfields grant applications. This presentation is always popular with newcomer and “old hands” alike…
The lunch speaker on the second day of the conference is State Representative Lew Frederick. He chairs the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee and has shown a personal interest in Brownfields redevelopment.
Following lunch, the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) will offer a financing workshop featuring Charlie Bartsch. Charlie is a well known Brownfields expert who is credited with coining the term “Brownfield” over 15 years ago. This workshop will cover the creative ways of meeting the always-challenging aspects of how to pay for Brownfields redevelopment. Participants will hear about how to use the goals of the project as a guide when integrating various funding sources over the life of a project.
In addition to the workshops and meetings, conference l attendees will have ample networking opportunities to exchange ideas and meet with experienced Brownfields professionals. Registration for the Conference is available online at www.nebc.org.
Scholarships to cover registration costs that may also include housing are available to qualifying applicants. For more information, contact Karen Homolac at karen.homolac@state.or.us or download a scholarship application form.
