An Assessment of Brownfield Redevelopment Policies: The Michigan Experience

In this report, Michigan State University professor Richard Hula examines state brownfield redevelopment policies and recommends legal changes that would make the redevelopment process easier, including reducing the liability for developing contaminated land and offering selective incentives. The report also provides a perspective on a number of key issues in brownfield redevelopment: incorporating community preferences into a project; addressing demands for increased environmental justice; and resolving unsuccessful programs. The report’s conclusion argues that the use of a variety of implementation strategies, rather than one approach, has been a key to the success of redevelopment programs across the state of Michigan. Federal, state, and local government agencies that wish to implement similar policies will find this guide informative.