Identifying Brownfields in Gary

On November 14, 2025, community members, local partners, and environmental professionals gathered for Part II of the GreenRoots Initiative, an immersive workshop series focused on identifying and researching the ecological and environmental histories of properties in Gary. Led by Beth Grigsby of Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program, the session built on October’s Brownfields 101 workshop and moved participants deeper into the practical tools and processes used to identify potential brownfields.

Hosted by Gary Townmakers, Program Director Cynthia Williams opened the session by grounding the conversation in the realities of redevelopment in Gary. As she reminded attendees, environmental history is no longer a niche concern: even homebuyers are now being asked to secure environmental site assessments due to the city’s industrial legacy. Understanding these histories is essential, not only for developers but for residents, neighborhood leaders, and anyone seeking to redevelop parcels in Gary.

TAB: A Free Resource for Communities

Beth began by introducing the mission of the Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program, a national EPA-funded initiative that provides free, customized support to communities navigating brownfield challenges. TAB’s services include:

• Identifying potential brownfield sites

• Strategic planning and reuse visioning

• Solar and green energy strategies

• Market and economic feasibility studies

• Community engagement support

• EPA grant strategy and application reviews

Beth, who has more than 30 years of experience in brownfield redevelopment across Indiana, emphasized that TAB’s role is to help communities avoid getting overwhelmed by the complexity of environmental data. “Take in the information a little at a time,” she encouraged. “You don’t need to go down the rabbit hole all at once.”

Understanding Indiana’s Brownfields Landscape

The workshop revisited key insights from the Indiana Brownfields Program, whose representatives were also present. Their mission is to help communities overcome environmental barriers through:

• Technical assistance

• Legal guidance

• Financial support

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) initiatives

• The Petroleum Orphan Site Initiative, which helps address abandoned underground tanks

Participants were reminded that brownfield redevelopment is not just about cleanup, it’s about restoration for revitalization. Successful projects can return properties to the tax rolls, create jobs, and restore neighborhood vitality.

Why Liability Matters

Beth walked attendees through the historical context that shaped modern brownfield laws, including the infamous Love Canal disaster. The resulting Superfund legislation, while necessary, had unintended consequences: lenders became wary of older industrial sites, urban cores hollowed out, and redevelopment stalled.

Brownfield legislation emerged to address these challenges by offering liability protections for prospective purchasers, but only if they follow the rules. This is where All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) and Phase I ESAs come in. Beth outlined the core requirements:

• A professional evaluation of environmental conditions

• Identification of data gaps

• A clear opinion on whether further investigation is needed

• Compliance with ASTM E1527-21 standards

These assessments are not optional. They are the legal backbone of safe, responsible redevelopment.

Environmental Clues

Using examples from Gary and beyond, Beth guided participants through common indicators of potential contamination:

• Former gas stations (vent pipes, fill ports)

• Dry cleaners

• Auto repair shops

• Factories, mills, and warehouses

• Railroad facilities

• Dumping along waterways

• Old hospitals, schools, and strip malls

She also highlighted visible warning signs such as stained soil, stressed vegetation, rusting tanks, broken windows, and illegal dumping.

The workshop materials included a Brownfield Identification Checklist, designed to help residents safely document potential sites without trespassing. The checklist encourages noting property type, visible conditions, safety concerns, and community knowledge, an essential tool for grassroots environmental awareness.

Moving Forward

Beth closed by reminding attendees that TAB is available to support Gary’s redevelopment journey. Whether a resident is curious about a vacant lot or a developer is preparing for a development project, understanding environmental history is a critical step toward building a healthier, more resilient city.

All workshop materials, including handouts, slides, and tools, are available on the Gary Townmakers website.