Brownfields Redevelopment  Toolbox

Step 4 - Implementation  

STEP 4: Implementation (sub-directory)

Obtain Proposals and Engage Consultation

If the marketing plan was implemented correctly and the right conditions are present, the municipality should obtain proposals from interested developers. Once proposals are submitted, they should be reviewed for viability by the Municipal Team and categorized in order of importance to the community’s and municipality’s needs. 

Proposals submitted should be negotiable and the municipality should work with the developer(s) to modify the redevelopment plans to suit the needs of all stakeholders. Before development plans are finalized and approved, it is essential to communicate the development plans with the community and local stakeholders. 

The Municipal Team should maintain open lines of communication between the developers, owners, stakeholders and general public to address any issues or concerns.

Engage Stakeholders and Public

The general public should be aware of all redevelopment proposals and plans submitted to council. Stakeholders and the general public should be allowed to have input towards any submitted proposals and changes requested to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and brownfields redevelopment strategy.

The Public Consultation process should include communication and consultation with the following stakeholders:

  • The Municipal Team;
  • Government agencies;
  • Developer(s);
  • Investor representatives;
  • Property owners;
  • External consultants (the external team or Working Group); and
  • The community or general public
Regulators from the provincial and federal governments, if applicable, should also be involved with the brownfield project. The ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAH), Environment (MOE) and Finance have begun to streamline the cleanup and development of brownfield projects by working together on aiding the developers and municipalities. The MAH provides a one-window ticket to these three Ontario regulators to aid municipalities and developers through the regulatory process with implementation of paperwork for approvals, grants, certificates, etc. for brownfields projects in Ontario. 

The Public Consultation Process can include:
  • Open houses;
  • Feedback forums;
  • Public meetings; and
  • Newspaper notices.
Community members will want to understand the economical benefits, potential risks, the redevelopment plan, timelines and additional benefits to the community. They will require a mechanism that allows them to give input and feedback regarding the potential project. 


 Finalize Redevelopment Plans  

As much as brownfield redevelopment is an exercise in converting individual pieces of abandoned, idle or under-utilized properties into productive properties for the municipality, it is also community improvement and as such affects everyone within the local community. 

The public consultation process will provide valuable feedback that should be addressed by the Municipal Team and its team of external experts. The Municipal Team should rely on the expertise from the Working Group, the stakeholders and the developer to make amendments to the submitted proposal.

It is in the best interest for both the municipality and developer to address issues and concerns from the public consultation process and include them in the finalized redevelopment plans as it will help speed up the approval process required from municipal council and various government regulatory agencies (Ontario Municipal Board, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, etc.). 

When amending the redevelopment plans, the developer and municipality should try to maximize site investments. This can be done by the following:
  • Be flexible in assessing costs/expenses - cleanup and development plans may need to be amended from primary investigations during actual cleanup of site due to new findings;
  • Apply appropriate restoration criteria, selection and integration of remedial actions;
  • Implement restoration techniques that utilize as much of the existing building’s design, materials, façade and infrastructure as possible;
  • Utilize the site to maximize community benefit and the removal of stigmatization;
  • Allow for multi-purpose or mixed land use to offer economic variety and strong community growth (residential, commercial, light industrial, recreational and parkland);
  • Use an incremental approach to site restoration and development;
  • Utilize smart and sustainable building design (green building design);
  • Allow for development diversity in the market through the CIP to create a more reliable return of investment.
Diversity in the market through the CIP can be implemented through zoning and land use designations. Mixed commercial, light industrial, retail and residential use of large brownfield projects often allow for an entire community to be redeveloped and not just a brownfield site. This creates greater diversity and stability in employment opportunities. 

On historical sites, it is becoming more common for developers to work with architects and planners to maintain historical structures and charisma. This can be achieved by saving and reusing entire buildings, skeletons, or just the external façade of the building. Restore and preserve the personality of older buildings. This often leads to greater visual appeal, market readiness and community acceptance of the project.