City of Largo, Florida

Notice of Public Hearing: Brownfield Designation, June 21

On June 21, 2012, at 5:30 P.M., a public hearing will be held by Pinellas County Economic Development, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, at the St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, located at 13805 58^th Street North, Clearwater, FL 33760 on an application to designate a Brownfield area in the Ulmerton Road Opportunity Corridor, under the State's Ch. 376, F.S., Brownfield Program and the County's Brownfield Redevelopment Program. The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain public comment on the proposed Brownfield designation for the properties depicted on the map. A Brownfield is a site where real or perceived environmental contamination can hinder the use or redevelopment of a property. Learn more at www.pced.org/uroc

The Brownfield Redevelopment Program

"Brownfield" is the name given to a site or area where real or perceived environmental contamination exists in the soil, surface water, or ground water. These conditions have presented barriers to redevelopment of older commercial, industrial and medical properties throughout the United States.

Cleanup of brownfield sites in Florida is generally easier, quicker, and cheaper that in other parts of the country. This is because the severity of the environmental degradation in our state generally is not as extensive as what many other U.S. states face in regards to real contamination.

In 2008, the City of Largo received a brownfield designation for the greater Downtown area through the Pinellas County Brownfield Program. The area covers over 918 acres with the largest percentage of the sites being commercial corridor locations and commercial sites adjacent to an historic rail line. Map of greater Downtown Largo Brownfield area

The City of Largo is currently working with Pinellas County to designate a new Brownfield area for the commercial properties along Ulmerton Road and the commercial area in and around the county airport. It is anticipated that this designation will be in place by 2011.  Map of proposed Ulmerton Road Brownfield designation

Businesses that clean up, redevelop and relocate to browfield sites are provided with financial incentives, regulatory benefits, technical assistance, and liability protection. Listed below are some of the Florida advantages.

• Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund - is a $2,500 tax credit per new full-time job created. For more on the bonus, click here

• Attractive business locations with existing infrastructure in place and close to affordable neighborhoods.

• Sales and Use Tax exemptions for building materials used in the construction of a housing project or mixed-use project located in designated brownfield area. For a quick summary and application click here.

• Voluntary cleanup tax credits - a Florida program that provides tax credit certificates to be applied against Florida corporate income tax. Click here for more on the program.

• Cleanup liability protection - through Florida legislation (F.S. 376.82), persons who implement a successful completion of a brownfield site rehabilitation shall be relieved of further liability on the site.

• Low-interest loans for assessment and cleanup are available on the state level. These loans are for private lenders and bonuses are available for projects that include affordable housing projects. For more on the program click here. 

• Expedited permitting for Brownfield projects is available on the municipal level as well as technical document review by the Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information on the Largo Brownfields program, contact the Economic Development Division at 727-586-7360 or by email at Tbrydon@largo.com Additional information on Brownfields can be viewed by visiting the sites below:

Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Brownfields

Florida Brownfields Association

EPA Brownfields

EPA Region 4 Brownfields