October 2006

Santa Clara’s Rivermark development is a perfect example of one very effective way to bring brownficld sites back into productive use – the urban village. Built atop 177 acres that housed the historic Agnews Developmental Center, the master planned community boasts: a pedestrian-friendly Main Street; 3,000 housing units – including detached houses and town homes – a 450-unit apartment complex, and 300 affordable housing units for seniors, the developmentally-disabled, and homeless families; a 14- acre park, pocket parks, walking trails and greenbelts; and a large shopping center.

It didn’t start out that way. Industrial and commercial activities that kept Agnews running since 1889 left behind lead, pesticides, and solvents that made the property less than marketable. When California’s economy reeled from the end of the “dot-corn boom,” the Governor ordered the sale of all surplus State property, including Agnews.

Read Remainder of Article at CA DTSC web site.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 11:16 am and is filed under ●Brownfields Success Stories.

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