Brownfields Revitalization
What is a Brownfield? A brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. A 2012 County-wide inventory identified approximately 970 brownfield properties within the City of Rockford. The City recognizes that clean-up and redevelopment of these underutilized and potentially contaminated properties is a key component in improving multiple variables that contribute to economic growth and blight reduction. The City of Rockford has been very successful in applying for and using Federal and State Brownfields Grant Funds dating back to 2000, when the City was selected as one of the original United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Pilot Programs.
Brownfield Accomplishments
For almost 20 years, the City of Rockford, its community stakeholders, and engaged constituents have worked closely together to assess and clean-up perceived and confirmed environmental hazards present at several valuable redevelopment sites in our community. A few of our project successes are featured below.
- UW Health Sports Factory Campus Project Profile Virtual Tour
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center Project Profile
- Stanley J. Rozkowski United States Courthouse Project Profile
- Save-A-Lot Grocery Store Project Profile
- Former TAPCO Warehouse Project Profile
Active Brownfields Planning, Assessment, Cleanup, and Redevelopment Projects
Due to our extensive industrial heritage and our proactive approach at brownfields revitalization, it is common for the City of Rockford to have several concurrent brownfields projects occurring at various stages. Current active projects include:
- Rockford Watch Factory Asbestos Abatement Cleanup Grant Application Project Narrative Abatement Bid Specs
- Lloyd’s Hearing Building Contaminated Soil Removal Cleanup Grant Application Project Narrative
- Southwest Rockford Revitalization Planning Final Report
- Community Wide US EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant Work Plan
Brownfield Redevelopment Opportunities
The City of Rockford is actively seeking interested parties to partner with on redeveloping City acquired brownfield properties. With a variety of local development incentives available and our ability to secure and leverage several State and Federal funding sources, the City of Rockford has established itself nationally as a model community in the brownfields redevelopment market. To inquire about the following City-owned brownfields properties and available economic incentives, please contact Karl Franzen, Director, Community and Economic Development Department, 779-348-7424 or [email protected].
- Former Rockford Watch Company Factory Virtual Tour
- Historic Walgreen’s/Trek Media Building Virtual Tour
- Chick House Hotel Virtual Tour
- Barber Colman Campus 1200 Rock Street
- S. Main Rail Yards Parcels 725 – 801 South Main Street
- Historic Rockford Armory 605 North Main Street
- Vacant Lot Undergoing Cleanup 128 Kishwaukee Street
- Church School 1419 Blaisdell Street
Community Engagement, Accountability, Pending Applications
The City of Rockford strongly recognizes that community participation and stakeholder involvement play an essential role in successful brownfields redevelopment. There are numerous success stories across the nation that can attest. It is the ideas and needs of our community that helps us prioritize the brownfields in our community and seek out the necessary resources to transform blight into an asset that contributes to improvement in our citizens quality of life and our economic state. To inquire or provide comments on the City’s brownfields revitalization efforts, please contact Rob Wilhelmi, Brownfields Redevelopment Specialist, at 779-348-7162 or email at: [email protected].
Would you like to see where our EPA brownfields grant funds have been spent in Rockford? Head over to EPA’s Cleanups in My Community site to view information on our sites.
Local Brownfields in the News
City Approves Two Brownfields Prevention Ordinances (11/18/2020) Nuisance Solid Waste Nuisance Underground Storage Tanks
Rockford to Receive EPA Assistance Over Brownfields (6/16/2020)
City of Rockford receives EPA grant to clean up downtown properties (5/6/2020)
Rockford Looks to Clean Up Contaminated Properties (11/18/2019)
City Presents Brownfields Revitalization Updates to Haight Village Neighborhood Association (9/19/2019)
Rockford wins $400K EPA grant for Barber-Colman site (6/21/2019)
City Presents Brownfields Program Updates to Signal Hill Neighborhood Group (4/11/2019)
City Meets with Auburn West Side Business Group to Discuss Brownfields and Other Revitalization Programs (3/21/2019)
Barber Colman TIF District approval nears final hurdle (1/7/2019)
EPA Provides Rockford with $500,000 to Fund Brownfield Cleanups (7/7/2018)