Transforming Brownfields and Underutilized Properties

Brownfields are vacant or underutilized properties for which the redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence of a hazardous pollutant or contaminant. In many cases these sites are located in low-income communities where they contribute to urban blight and pose a potential environmental health threat to the residents. Groundwork Denver’s goals include:

• Working with communities to identify potential brownfield or distressed properties for redevelopment to a use with clear public benefit.
• Ensuring that the community has a meaningful involvement in the redevelopment of brownfield sites that use public funds.
• Providing expertise to the community on brownfield environmental health issues, redevelopment potential, and resources for testing and cleanup.
• Partnering with brownfield developers who incorporate principles of environmental sustainability into their developments, including preservation of green space, water conservation, low impact design, and green building principles.

Brownfield Assessments

Through the Healthy Air for North Denver (HAND) program, we have funds from EPA to perform assessments of brownfield sites that are slated for redevelopment with a clear public benefit. We are currently working with Commerce City Planning department on the identification of affordable housing sites in the Derby neighborhood and around the new light rail transit station.

Oletski Valley – Globeville

Groundwork Denver was asked to help with the vision and redevelopment of the Oletski Valley in Globeville. The “Valley” is approximately 3 blocks long and 2 blocks wide with multiple owners, including the City of Denver, Asarco, Public Service Company, the Railroad, and several private owners. The site was part of a Superfund cleanup due to lead and arsenic contamination from nearby smelting operations. Groundwork Denver and the HAND Land Use Committee are working with the neighboring residents and businesses to create a vision for the Valley that preserves open space while creating a safer and more inviting environment.

Brownfield and Underutilized Property Inventory

Groundwork Denver is mapping potential brownfield sites and underutilized properties in some of Denver’s low-income communities. Our goal is to identify sites that can be transformed into something of greater benefit to the community and environment. Currently these sites are poorly maintained, full of junk and potential contaminant sources, weedy, and generally blighting the neighborhoods. Here are some photos of what we are finding.

Meth Labs

Meth labs, used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine, are discovered in houses, apartments, motel rooms, sheds, and even motor vehicles in Denver. When meth is “cooked” in a home or apartment, all of the property, carpets, curtains, and structure can get severely contaminated by the chemicals used to make the drug. Once discovered by the police, many of these houses sit vacant and boarded up, adding to urban blight and posing a potential health hazard to the community. Click to download current meth lab addresses>

Former meth labs in Sunnyside and Whittier neighborhoods.