NOAA Brownfields: Showcase Community

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Community

New Bedford, with a population of 93,768, is located at the confluence of the Acushnet River estuary and Buzzards Bay in southeastern Massachusetts. It is a city rich in industrial, social, and cultural history derived from its advantageous access to the sea. Over a period of more than 200 years, its major industries of whaling, cotton, textile manufacturing, and fishing generated immense wealth and attracted numerous immigrant groups. Diversity has become and remains the hallmark of the New Bedford population.

Brownfield Issues

In the latter half of the 20th century, New Bedford became a victim of its own successes as it experienced a steady and unchecked erosion of its traditional and economic employment base. It is estimated that by 1995, more than 20 percent of the City’s manufacturing base was out of business. The decline of this sector took with it an estimated 11,000 manufacturing jobs and left as its legacy numerous abandoned, decaying properties and environmental contamination. Close to 40 brownfields have been identified within the City’s boundaries. These sites range in size from less than an acre to more than 70 acres, with an average size of approximately six acres per site. In fact, over 225 acres of land in the City have been characterized as brownfields, or over 2 percent of the total land area in a city of 20 square miles. But for a few exceptions, most of New Bedford’s existing brownfields are located along or in proximity to the New Bedford Harbor waterfront. These sites comprise some of the City’s largest, most complex, and strategically important sites in terms of economic revitalization. Under it’s designation as a Brownfields Showcase Community, New Bedford has built on existing momentum to accelerate cleanup and reuse of many of these sites.

Accomplishments

As a Brownfields Showcase Community, New Bedford received a federal liaison from NOAA that is providing the City with tools and technical services to accelerate the reuse of brownfields. Working new bedford aerial view with NOAA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and other partners, the City has made tremendous strides in revitalizing the community through the reuse of brownfield properties. Through partnership, the City has facilitated assessment and remediation of numerous sites, including Standard Times Field, the former Railroad Depot, Talleyrand, Compass Bank, Alden Corrugated Box, and others. To date, the completed private sector redevelopment of five sites in New Bedford has resulted in over $50 million in private investment and the creation/retention of over 879 jobs. Through its efforts, the City continues to advocate for and promote reuse of sites to support numerous uses, including economic development, recreation and public access, and habitat restoration.

For More Information

Scott Alfonse
Director, City of New Bedford Department of Environmental Stewardship
phone: (508)979-1487
e-mail: scotta@www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us

Robert Neely
Brownfields Coordinator
NOAA/NOS Office of Response and Restoration
phone: (508)979-1707
e-mail: Robert.Neely@noaa.gov

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