On April 13, 2009 the NYC Brownfield Partnership hosted its first annual Brownfields Award Ceremony, and recognized eight of New York’s most outstanding brownfield projects.

A blighted area with urban fill contamination, an underground storage tank, rundown buildings, vacant lots, and rat infestation was transformed to a vibrant mixed-use destination area and community. This project created 700 jobs, 699 apartments, 175 affordable apartments, 181 parking spots, 116,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, and 42,700 square feet for a community center.

Collaborative Partners: AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; AKRF, Inc.; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; SLCE Architects

Underutilized for 30 to 40 years with vacant lots, rundown buildings and railroad tracks, this brownfield was transformed into 627 residential units within two “Certified Green” buildings, 13,400 square feet open park space, 4,000 squarefeet retail, 10,000 square feet health club facility, two existing performing arts theater companies with seven condominiums on top, and an arcade.

Collaborative Partners: The Dermot Company; Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, P.C.; Knauf Shaw, LLP; FXFowle; Bovis Lend Lease LMB

A former gasoline station and existing automobile repair shop, located in an underutilized neighborhood, was transformed into a residential building with 110 low-income units including common spaces, 6,800 square feet of commercial space, and plans for a park across the street.

Collaborative Partners: BX Parkview Associates LLC; L&M Development Partners Inc.; Melrose Associates LLC; We Stay/Nos Quedamos; Ecosystems Strategies, Inc.; Bryan Cave, LLP; Magnusson Architecture and Planning, PC

Randall’s Island, formerly a salt water and freshwater wetland, was used as a dumping ground for construction debris since the mid-1800’s. The site was transformed into a salt marsh and a freshwater wetland for recreation, education, and a new habitat for all kinds of plant and wildlife.

Collaborative Partners: Randall’s Island Sports Foundation; New York City Economic Development Corporation; Galvin Brothers; Scenic Design, Inc.; Mercator LLC

An underutilized gated former gas storage and transfer facility site was transformed into a much needed park-a place of refuge for the Queens community. Elmhurst Park upon completion will have over 650 trees planted, a comfort station with bathroom facilities, multi-use performance spaces, play spray fountains, and a children’s playground.

Collaborative Partners: NYC Department of Parks and Recreation; National Grid

Despite formerly being a Rheingold Brewery site, this site was vacant and underutilized by 1996. The site has since been transformed into a 500 plus residential complex with rental apartments, condominiums, two and three family homes, and cooperatives. The site is also home to a community center, retail and office space, a senior center, and a not-for-profit home attendant program.

Collaborative Partners: Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, Inc.; Impact Environmental; The Bluestone Group; Magnusson Architecture and Planning, PC; David Lawrence Mammina Architecture

An underutilized site contaminated by former underground storage tanks and a dry cleaner transformed into an apartment building managed by Jewish Home Lifecare, the largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living homecare providers. The Kenneth Gladstone Building is six stories with 49 one bedroom unit apartments along with common areas for laundry, group activities, recreation, and dining.

Collaborative Partners: Jewish Home Lifecare; US Department of Housing and Urban Development; J.R. Holzmacher; Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP; New York State DEC; New York State DOH

This former gas station and parking lot was transformed into an eight story mixed-use building with 16,200 square feet of retail and 100 affordable units of workforce housing.

Collaborative Partners: The Arker Company; Environmental Business Consultants; Coastal Builders Corporation; ESQ; P.W. Grosser Consulting, Inc.; AIA