Recycling land and buildings
The Austin Brownfields Revitalization Office (ABRO) helps community-oriented developers address environmental obstacles to fulfill property redevelopment goals. We offer no-cost environmental site assessments.
Since 1998, ABRO has partnered with community organizations and local governments to return distressed properties to the community as greenspace, commercial, residential or mixed-use development.
Some of Austin's landmark attractions were once brownfields. If you've gone to a concert at Zilker Park, taken the train from Crestview Station, visited the Central Library, walked around the lake in Mueller neighborhood, eaten at a restaurant in the Seaholm Eco District, or shopped in Plaza Saltillo then you've enjoyed the benefits of brownfields revitalization in Austin. ABRO helped relieve the environmental barriers these properties had to overcome. Learn more about other local cleanup projects.
What are brownfields?
Brownfields can be any property that is idle, vacant or has concerns about environmental impacts from past uses. Brownfields can be anywhere. If you have any questions about whether a property you are buying or redeveloping might qualify, contact ABRO.
Learn about the types of Brownfields assistance offered
| Environmental site assessments (ESAs) | A Phase I ESA looks at the property's history to see if there are any recognized environmental concerns. A Phase II ESA will collect samples if possible contamination sources were found. |
| Building materials investigations | Surveys collect and analyze samples from existing buildings to see if they were constructed using regulated materials that need to be removed and handled in a special way. Before 1980, asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were the industry standard to help prevent fires. Paint with high concentrations of lead (lead-based paint or LBP) was commonly used before the 1980s. |
| Cleanup planning | Environmental professionals prepare plans/specifications outlining how to safely remove regulated building materials or clean up contaminated soils/groundwater and dispose of them following the required local, state and/or federal laws and regulations. |
| Remediation | Cleanup involves removing environmental media like soil and groundwater that have unsafe concentrations of hazardous materials or petroleum products, abating regulated building materials contaminated with asbestos and lead-based paint, and safely disposing of them so the property can be redeveloped. Depending on how complex the cleanup is, this can be quick and easy to complete or take a long time on a very complicated project. |
ABRO resources
Our program supports redeveloping properties by providing site assessments and technical assistance to relieve environmental concerns.
- Technical guidance
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- Consult with property owners, developers and prospective purchasers on environmental issues.
- Review of environmental documentation on redevelopment sites.
- Assist with state or federal regulatory agency programs.
- Financial resources
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No-cost environmental site assessments (Phase I and II), building material surveys (asbestos, lead-based paint and mold) and cleanup plans for eligible projects in Austin.
- Best practices for soil testing
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If you're interested in growing food, it’s important to check the soil for nutrient levels and the presence of harmful heavy metals. Soil testing is a way to make sure your soil is safe and suitable for various uses, including gardening.
Testing your soil for nutrients
- Gardeners sometimes need to add nitrogen fertilizer to support plant growth. Excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers can contribute to ground and surface water pollution.
- Excess nitrogen (above 19 ppm) and phosphorus (above 50 ppm) from over-fertilizing can contaminate water and air. High levels of these substances can lead to the loss of certain plant species, cause harm to fish and aquatic organisms, and contaminate drinking water.
Testing your soil for heavy metals
- To test soil for heavy metals, visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and select an environmental laboratory accredited to analyze solids (soils) and metals.
Soil to Groundwater (the metals can leach from the soil to groundwater)
Total Soil Combined (includes inhalation, ingestion, dermal and vegetable consumption pathways)
Arsenic 5 mg/kg 24 mg/kg Lead 3 mg/kg 500 mg/kg* * there is no known safe level for ingestion of lead so make sure to wash produce.
- If the levels of heavy metals in your soil are below the "Soil to Groundwater" threshold, there is no need to be concerned about lead or heavy metal exposure.
- If your levels fall between the "Soil to Groundwater" number and the "Total Soil Combined" threshold, follow best management practices (BMPs) to reduce lead exposure from your vegetable garden. This includes maintaining a high pH for fruiting vegetables and keeping the soil mulched to minimize dust inhalation.
- If your levels are close to the "Total Soil Combined" threshold, consider avoiding the cultivation of leafy vegetables or root vegetables.
- If your levels exceed the "Total Soil Combined" threshold, consider using raised beds for gardening. Additionally, place mulch, gravel, or paving stones around the raised beds to prevent dust inhalation.
Additional gardening resources