Brownfield Redevelopment

Brownfield Resources

There are many resources available to learn what a Brownfield property is and how to navigate the process of assessing, remediating and redeveloping a Brownfield property.  Below are some helpful resources.

• About Brownfields
• United States Environmental Protection Agency 
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 
• List of Environmental Consultants in Wisconsin  

How to Purchase a Brownfield Property

Tax delinquent brownfield properties are available for purchase from the City of Milwaukee through state provision 75.106. Back taxes and liens against the property are eliminated as part of the process.

• Learn more about purchasing a tax-delinquent brownfield property
• View the tax-delinquent brownfields list
• View the tax-delinquent brownfields map

Financial Incentives

Whether you are in the assessment or cleanup phase of redeveloping your Brownfield property, theses financial incentives may be a good fit to offset some of the development costs.

• City of Milwaukee Brownfield Site Assessment Matching Grant: Designed to encourage the investigation and redevelopment of industrial/commercial properties in the City that may be affected by environmental concerns. Grants of up to $15,000 can assist with Environmental Site Assessments.
• Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF):  RACM has received multiple grants from the USEPA to fund low interest loans for brownfield remediation and redevelopment.  Contact us for specific information on loan terms and available funding.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Grants: WDNR has several grant and loan programs available for both assessment and cleanup at brownfield sites.
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Grants: WEDC has a variety of resources for environmental assessment and cleanup to promote redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Success Stories

DCD began its involvement in land reuse long before the term "brownfield" was widely used. For many years, DCD has been overcoming suspected and actual contamination when such issues arise in day-to-day work on development projects.

Since 1990, Milwaukee has been actively involved in the redevelopment of at least 87 brownfield redevelopment projects. Successful redevelopment projects have included manufacturing, residential, retail, and commercial projects. The City of Milwaukee has invested over $21.7 million in the testing and clean-up of these properties.

To date, $766.1 million of redevelopment investment and 3,384 jobs have been created/retained as a result of these redevelopment projects. Approximately 25 of 87 redevelopment projects did not require active remediation 

• Colectivo Coffee (Formally Alterra Coffee) 
• Harley Davidson Museum
• The North End
• Medovations
• Sherman Perk
• Small Animal Hospital
• Heartlove Place
• Sigma