NBA GEORGIA

Chapter News

Since its inception on July 12, 2007, NBA Georgia has been very active in bringing educational and networking opportunities to its members. These updates are designed to inform chapter members about upcoming events, brownfield success story highlights and agency updates. Read on for more information!

Getting involved with NBA Georgia
The NBA is always looking for new chapter members interested in advancing the brownfield market. Joining the NBA will connect you to a diverse network of members, including brownfield professionals in the public and private sectors. You will gain access to information as well as training and events that bring stakeholders together to get deals done in your state.

There are several opportunities to get involved: an individual can become a member (sign up online); as a member you can choose to serve on a subcommittee; and companies or organizations can become chapter or event sponsors. We seek individuals who are specialists in brownfield redevelopment, people who are bridge-builders and have a passion for redeveloping blighted areas. Our chapter is especially looking for individuals to participate in any of our subcommittees. Visit the subcommittees page to see a description of each.

Meet the Chapter Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (EC) has been diligently working to establish the chapter. Members were asked to join the EC based on their involvement with and support of brownfield projects within the state. The committee has met regularly via conference call and in person since its inception. It has selected chairpersons for each of the subcommittees and set the strategic direction for the chapter. Visit the Executive Committee page to see the list.

Past & Future Chapter Events
Read about upcoming chapter events and view pictures from our past events here.

“Eight-fold Path” and Brownfield Redevelopment
By Matthew Robbins, Regional Revitalization Coordinator, EPA Region 4; Executive Committee member, NBA Georgia Chapter

The visit of the Dalai Lama to Atlanta has had me thinking on many levels and, yes, on brownfields and redevelopment too. In Buddhism, the model of the “Eight-fold Path” is presented as a baseline for living. In a way, this Path can be extrapolated to consider how to handle clean up and subsequent revitalization of contaminated properties. For your consideration, I present these thoughts using that model. Read the full article.

Brownfields: Urban Redevelopment Opportunities and the Beltline
By Steven W. Hart, PG, Senior Consultant with Premier Environmental Services, Inc.

Atlanta’s ambitious and extensive Beltline Project is expected to revitalize currently distressed and underutilized parts of the city by providing new mass transit, streetscape improvements, affordable workforce housing, new parks and green space, and environmental cleanup. To realize these goals, the Beltline project proposes a 22-mile transit loop along historic railroad corridors circling downtown, 33 miles of pedestrian/bicycle trails, 1,300 acres of new green space, and 12 high-density Redevelopment Nodes. The Beltline Five-Year Work Plan (2006–2010) also includes $8 million for brownfield testing and remediation of key sites in target areas. Read the full article.

Limiting Liabilities at Hazardous Waste Facilities in Georgia
By Joan Sasine, Partner, Powell Goldstein, LLP and M. Lawrence Mattila, Associate, Powell Goldstein, LLP

The Hazardous Site Reuse and Redevelopment Act (HSRRA), also known as the Brownfield program, has become increasingly popular in Georgia. HSRRA provides broad liability protection to prospective purchasers of contaminated properties and for the clean up of soil contamination and any source material. Provided that the statutory criteria are satisfied, prospective purchasers of certain “qualifying properties” can avoid liability to the state and third parties for various costs related to the preexisting release. Read the full article.

Looking to get more involved?
If you are a member of NBA and would like to become more involved, join one of our subcommittees: Communications, Events, Membership, Policy & Legislative, Technical, and Transaction. Visit NBA Georgia’s subcommittees page for more details.