This book is about brownfields redevelopment, and it aims to present the viewpoints of all parties involved. It addresses the question of what is necessary to get the job done. Abroad overview is given of efforts around the nation, but the book concentrates on Chicago (and Illinois and Cook County) as an example of aggressive efforts to accomplish brownfields remediation. Chicago is an interesting case because of its own efforts, as well as those of private developers. A large section relates to the issues faced by the private developer. This is an evolving field, and throughout the text and in the conclusion there are comments and reflections on the improvements needed to further encourage revitalization of brownfields.

Chicago has been described by Carl Sandburg as the city of broad shoulders, where Daniel Hudson Burnham, who helped plan the city, decreed that one should make no small plans ; it has also been described as the city that works. Chicago faces the enormous problem of abandoned industrial properties, of which it has more than its share because of its history as an industrial center. Chicago recognizes the need to attract and retain manufacturers and jobs, and sees that progress toward solving the problem has been very slow. With Mayor Daley s leadership, Chicago is striding forward to solve these problems itself. While other cities may have begun brownfield redevelopment programs, none of these have been on the scale of the effort in Chicago.

One of the goals of this book is to help...