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Brownfields Program

Brownfields are defined as 'real property,' the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in brownfields properties protects the environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off greenspaces and working lands. 
  

Program Goals

  • To develop a self-sustaining model program for the identification, assessment, remediation, and redevelopment of brownfield sites;
  • To raise awareness of business owners, developers, landowners, and lenders regarding economic incentives and innovative financing mechanisms for redevelopment;
  • To bring citizens, environmental regulatory agencies, consultants, developers, landowners, and lenders to the table to redevelop Brownfield sites;
  • To promote community education and communication; and 
  • To assess and help resolve other barriers to urban redevelopment such as zoning and permitting criteria, level of trained workers, crime, etc.


Brownfields Designation Process

Sites Within Designated Brownfields Areas

For sites located within the boundaries of a State-designated Brownfields area, Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), State Enterprise or Federal Empowerment Zone, or closed military base, requestors should provide the following listed below:

  1. A letter requesting a brownfields designation, provided to the Brownfields Program Office;
  2. Completion of a property ownership affadavit; and
  3. Attachment of the legal description for the property.

Sites Outside of Designated Brownfields Areas

For sites located outside the boundaries of a State-designated Brownfields Area, Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), State Enterprise or Federal Empowerment Zone, or closed military base, the designation process includes the items listed above and must follow the procedures as listed in Chapter 376.80(2)(a) and 376.80(2)(c) Florida Statutes.

Designation Procedures

For sites located outside the boundaries of a State-designated Brownfields Area, Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), State Enterprise or Federal Empowerment Zone, or closed military base, the designation procedures are as follows: 

  1. Applicant requests designation per the requirements of Chapter 376.80, Florida Statutes by letter to the Brownfields Program Office and completion of an "Application for Brownfield Area Designation."

  2. The designation request is reviewed to determine if requirements of applicable statute(s) are met.

  3. If request meets requirements, the applicant will be notified that the designation process will begin.

  4. A Resolution requesting designation is drafted and submitted for review and approval.

  5. Applicable public notice and meetings requirements must be completed in accordance with Chapter 376.80 Florida Statutes.

  6. Upon approval of designation request, the City Brownfields Program Office will notify the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Brownfields Coordinator will facilitate communication between FDEP and the applicant to assist with the completion of a Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement (BSRA).


For questions regarding the process, procedures and forms for submitting a brownfields designation request, please contact the City Brownfields Coordinator at 904-255-7852, brownfields@coj.net

* The designation procedure can generally be completed in 10 weeks from receipt of the designation request.  


Brownfields Mapping Tools

For more information on recorded contamination and regulatory documentation on a piece of real property, please visit one of the following public access databases:

Florida DEP Brownfields GeoViewer - Brownfields GeoViewer can be used to find existing brownfields sites and brownfields areas within the State of Florida.

Florida DEP Cleanup Sites - By specifying an address, a city or a zip code, you can use this map to locate nearby sites that are currently under DEP's cleanup oversight. 

EPA EnviroMapper - EnviroMapper provides access to several EPA databases to provide information about environmental activities that may affect air, water, and land anywhere in the United States.

 

Financial Incentive Programs

State of Florida

The State of Florida offers various incentives through the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Economic Opportunity's Division of Strategic Business Development (formerly OTTED), and the Florida Department of Revenue, including the following:

  • Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credits (50% State tax credit for cleanup costs),
  • Cleanup Liability Protection,
  • Brownfield Area Loan Guarantee Program (up to five years of State loan guarantees),
  • Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund (State tax refund for 10 or more jobs created), and
  • Sales and Use Tax Credit (tax credit on building materials).

Please contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast District Office, at (904) 807-3251, for more information on State financial incentives for brownfields sites.

City of Jacksonville Office of Economic Development

The State of Florida's Community Redevelopment Area Program and Brownfields Program are two commonly used tools by the Office of Economic Development that encourage private investment in underutilized areas.

Please contact the Office of Economic Development, at (904) 255-5444, for more information on local financial incentives for brownfields sites.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Sophie Fogg, Brownfields Coordinator
Planning Department
214 North Hogan Street, Suite 300
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-7852
brownfields@coj.net