Why are so many industrial sites sitting vacant?

Redeveloping the sites of old factories (or gas stations, or dry cleaners) can be complicated. Sites that may be contaminated, known as “brownfields,” have to undergo extensive cleanup before they can be reused. But, redevelopment is possible, and it’s an important part of how communities evolve.

There are many publicly and privately-owned areas in Chattanooga that are brownfield redevelopments, such as Renaissance Park, Finley Stadium, and the townhome development on South Broad Street (100 at South Broad). And there are dozens of other local sites that the EPA has classified as brownfields — you can explore them on this map. 

In 2022, the EPA granted Chattanooga about $5 million to help clean up brownfields. This money is being prioritized for the Wheland Foundry and U.S. Pipe sites (the future site for the Lookouts stadium), and the R.L. Stowe Mercerizing Mill in Lupton City. There are also state funds dedicated to cleaning up contamination. Since 1996, the Tennessee Brownfields Redevelopment Program has assisted the public — including developers, communities, and property owners — to reuse and revitalize over 1,500 properties across the state. The Center for Creative Land Recycling and the EPA’s Land Revitalization Program also assist in brownfield cleanup. 

- Trista Ridge