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Yes, there is an award for everything nowadays – even brownfields. Four awards will be given at this year’s in Salem to recognize the redevelopment of worthless pits into blooming job hubs.

Why do these projects deserve awards? Because redeveloping a brownfield is usually much more difficult (and costly) than building new. Brownfields – usually contaminated, long vacant or otherwise undesirable – are the rotten properties that no one else wants to touch. Considering Oregon’s sustainable reputation, we should really see more projects like this.

So without further ado, kudos go to…

• The June Key Delta Community Center: A former gas station in North Portland was transformed into a sustainably designed community space for the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, which spent $131,000 to purchase and improve the site.
• Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center: A vacant, asbestos?ridden amphitheater into an aquatic center and outdoor recreation area. Partners included the Sunriver Owners Association and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
• The Tabor Commons: What was once a convenience store plagued by crime and drug dealing was redeveloped into Southeast Portland’s , a nonprofit, family-oriented coffee house and community center. Partners included Business Oregon and the city of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services and Brownfield Program.
• Zidell site: A 30-acre waterfront parcel owned by , the real estate arm of barge builder , underwent remediation for future redevelopment. Formerly used for shipping, the site just south of the Ross Island Bridge is now covered with vegetation and is planned to one day be home to mixed-use or commercial development.

The awards will be presented at a luncheon during the conference, which is being held by with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Northwest Environmental Business Council and the Center for Creative Land Recycling.

For more information on the city of Portland’s Brownfields Program, contact Karen Homolac at 503-986-0191 or 971-239-9951.