Brownfields Program

What is a Brownfield?

A "brownfield" is any property where potential redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence (or potential presence) of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfield properties can include former or active commercial and industrial sites, such as auto repair shops, factories, historic buildings, or storage warehouses, as well as residential properties. Addressing potential environmental issues, as well as financial and regulatory hurdles, can often pose barriers to the redevelopment or expanded use of these properties.

South Portland Brownfields Program

The South Portland community has an interest in seeing that brownfields properties across the city are responsibly redeveloped in order to protect the environment and public health, increase the local tax base, facilitate job growth, and potentially create new open space.

The City of South Portland was selected to receive a $1,000,000 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in May of 2025. The award will fund loans and subgrants to property owners to support environmental cleanup activities and program outreach.

This cleanup grant augments Brownfields assessment funding the City of South Portland has been awarded. In 2019, the City received a $300,000 grant from the EPA to assess Brownfield properties across the community in support of their redevelopment. Through this program, the City works directly with property owners at brownfield sites across South Portland to conduct environmental site assessments and prepare cleanup and remediation plans at zero cost for enrolled properties in coordination with our Qualified Environmental Professional, Sevee & Mahar Engineering (SME). Grant funds are also used to conduct community engagement, including community education, advertising the program to property owners, and holding community meetings. In 2022, the City was awarded an additional $500,000 by U.S. EPA to sustain this successful program.

Funding is currently available for Brownfields assessment activities in South Portland through September 30, 2026. (Check back for more information about the Brownfields cleanup program.)

I'm a property owner in South Portland — how can I learn more about participating in the program?

If you own a property in South Portland that may qualify for Brownfields assessment funding and would like to learn more about eligibility and enrollment in the program, contact the Planning Department.

Nominate a potential redevelopment site!

Do you know of a current or former commercial or industrial property that could be redeveloped with the support of Brownfields assessment or cleanup funds? The City is seeking your ideas and input about potential redevelopment sites throughout the South Portland! Complete this Google Form (coming soon!) to nominate a potential brownfields site in South Portland.

South Portland Program Information

Learn more

Past Public Meetings

January 5, 2022

The City of South Portland hosted a virtual public meeting on January 5, 2022 to share results of an Environmental Site Assessment for 27 Robinson Street ("Jett Property"). MEDEP and their consultant, Beacon Environmental, oversaw the completion of this work and the City is assisting with public outreach through its Brownfields Assessment Program.

Meeting Notice (PDF)

Brownfields 101 Webinar - September 2020

Thank you to everyone who participated!