2026 Virginia Brownfields Conference

"Remediation and restoration of Brownfield sites means removing barriers so redevelopment goals can be realized. Often the greatest barrier is defining the end goal when a multitude of unknowns lie ahead. This session explores how the Town of Boones Mill, Virginia began its reuse planning for the former North American Homes property, a 55-acre site representing nearly one-quarter of the town’s land area. The site was found to contain unregulated disposal from former operations, which currently precludes redevelopment.
With support from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Stromberg/Garrigan and Associates (SGA) and their environmental consulting partners worked with the Town to identify a feasible redevelopment strategy featuring outdoor recreation, retail opportunities, and affordable housing. To advance this vision, the cumulative environmental assessment and concept planning documents were incorporated into a $1,385,000 FY26 EPA Clean-up grant request to remove the unregulated fill and prepare the site for reuse.
This project is a cornerstone of Boones Mill’s broader revitalization efforts, guided by their award-winning Boones Mill 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which received a National Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organization (NADO) in 2023.
Participants will gain practical insight into identifying Brownfield redevelopment opportunities, securing funding for environmental assessment and clean-up and integrating reuse planning into a long-term redevelopment framework."