Washington has a very active, involved community. For this assessment grant, the City has established a Brownfields Steering Committee (BSC) that meets approximately quarterly. The BSC serves as an advisory panel for our brownfields project and will continue with this role for subsequent grants. In general the committee assists with the following

Identification of Properties

Committee members bring to the table any property they think may be of relevance to the overall brownfields program. A specific agenda item at every BSC meeting will be for the open discussion of new potential properties.  

Disseminate Information

Committee members disseminate information to their neighborhoods/organizations/peers throughout the life cycle of the grant.  

Provide Input on Property Redevelopment Options

The BSC is comprised of local community leaders with ties to the most affected neighborhoods. This is key to ensuring the redevelopment option fits the needs and wants of the community. As the grants continue through the assessment phases and into redevelopment options, Committee members invite additional key community members to workshops, visioning sessions, and seminars.

Learning

Just as it is important for the community to learn about the importance and significance of brownfields throughout the area, so it is for BSC members to be educated about the overall process. Committee members receive a constant stream of ongoing learning about brownfields and how these grants can impact the community.