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 2022 inventory identified 880 brownfield properties within the City of Rockford. The map-based brownfields inventory can be viewed at the public Tolemi Building Blocks website by navigating to the “Environmental” filter in the upper right corner. 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 over 20 years, the City of Rockford, US EPA, Illinois EPA, its community stakeholders, and engaged constituents have worked closely together to assess and clean-up perceived and confirmed environmental hazards 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:

Colman Yards Redevelopment (Barber Colman Campus) Project Summary and Progress
Southwest Rockford Revitalization Planning Final Report
Community Wide US EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant Work Plan
Southwest Rockford Revitalization Rapid Health Impact Assessment Final Report

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 Economic Development Director Anna Garrison at 779-348-7449 or [email protected].

Former Rockford Watch Company Factory Virtual Tour
Historic Walgreen’s/Trek Media Building Virtual Tour
Chick House Hotel Virtual Tour
S. Main Rail Yards Parcels 725 – 801 South Main Street
Historic Rockford Armory 605 North Main Street
Former Trolley Car Barn Site 128 Kishwaukee Street
Church School 1419 Blaisdell Street

Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program

Cleanup loans are available from the City of Rockford Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. Any persons or organizations, public or private, who have access to the property and are not responsible for the contamination may apply for a loan, which come with flexible interest rates and repayment terms. Eligible activities include the cleanup of soil and groundwater, lead paint removal, and asbestos abatement. Loan requests are reviewed by the City’s Community & Economic Development Department before being referral to City Council for final approval. Special eligibility rules apply for property owners and sites. To inquire about Revolving Loan Funds, please contact Rob Wilhelmi, Brownfields Redevelopment Specialist, at 779-348-7425 or email at: [email protected].

FY2023 Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund Program Work Plan

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 779-348-7425 or email at: [email protected].

FY2023 US EPA Community Wide Assessment Grant – Final Application Request for Application Guidelines

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.