11-09-2015 - Brownfield Site Restoration and Remediation - Houston, TX

Why Should You Take This Brownfield Site Restoration and Remediation course?

In this 1-day Brownfield Site Restoration and Remediation course, attendees will learn what characterizes a "Brownfield" project, how it differs from a conventional "Greenfield" real estate transaction, and why it would be desirable for a public entity or private investor to pursue a Brownfield.

Participants will learn the components of a Brownfields transaction, what legal pathways are available through the State of Washington, Department of Ecology to certify site closure, and a thorough review of the State of Washington Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) cleanup process.  Participants will come away with better understanding of the critical due diligence tasks that are necessary to complete a successful Brownfield transaction included legal, real estate, environmental, financing, risk transfer (insurance). Case studies and active engagement with the attendees will be used to reinforce the points presented in lecture.

Understanding the topics covered will provide attendees with a current and better-informed perspective on the actual risk and reward afforded to individual investors and public entities that are motivated to produce a win-win financial reward and public benefit.  

Intended Audience:

This course is intended for municipal planners, policymakers, and permitting officials who desire to have a basic working knowledge of what constitutes a Brownfield so that they are able to encourage and facilitate private and public redevelopment investment in their communities.  The course is also intended to educate real estate developers and their attorneys and environmental consultants that perceived environmental risks for Brownfields are often significantly greater than the actual risks, and that the perceived risks often stymie redevelopment unnecessarily. 

Topics To Be Covered Include:

• Brownfield vs. Conventional Real Estate
• Environmental Due Diligence – Regulatory Options
• Voluntary Cleanup Program – Washington State Department of Ecology Cleanup Process
• Legal Review
• Real Estate
• Entitlements
• Proforma
• Financing Options - the "Capital Stack"
• Risk Management - Environmental Insurance
• Environmental Investigation and Remediation
• Case Studies in the Northwest

What to Bring to Class:  Pen or pencil, and paper if you do not want to take notes in your manual. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch will be on your own.