Climate Safe Neighborhoods

The Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit

This summer, Groundwork Ohio River Valley’s Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) team launched an exciting environmental education initiative in the Roselawn neighborhood, empowering a group of “Environmental Superheroes” to explore the challenges and opportunities of Brownfield sites.

Through hands-on learning across a four meeting paid model, the team not only discovered what Brownfields are and how they impact communities, but also conducted neighborhood assessments to identify a specific site in Roselawn for redevelopment.

With expert support from Matt Wagner of Tetra Tech and Amanda Testerman from the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability, the initiative connected participants with valuable resources and local stakeholders, helping to lay the foundation for future action.

How to use the Toolkit:

  • Educate self, community and organizations on existing brownfields in the neighborhood
  • Utilize as a resource and call to action on land use and public health for redevelopment

Check out the Roselawn CAG Story Map here!

Click the link below to learn more about where brownfields have been identified in Roselawn!

CSN Brownfields Map

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Roselawn Brownfield Committee Materials

Brownfield Committee Community Assessment & Getting Started

Roselawn Brownfields Info Guide

Photos of Potential Brownfields Captured by Residents

Potential Roselawn Brownfields Map

GW Roselawn Brownfield Inventory Composite

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Meeting 1 Members

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Committee Brownfield Reuse Site of Focus: Summit & Reading

Land Reuse Ideas Map

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Roselawn Brownfield, Land Reuse & Redevelopment Resources

Brownfields in Roselawn

LOSANTIVILLE WILLIAMS DIRECTORY 1955

Reading Road Williams Directory 1955

Rosecliff Avenue Williams Directory 1955

SECTION ROAD WILLIAMS DIRECTORY 1955

ROSELAWN PROFESSIONAL BLDG 1955 WILLIAMS DIRECTORY

Roselawn Sanborn Map

Summit & Reading

Summit/Reading Brownfield Site Notes

Summit/Reading Brownfield Site Phase 1 Report

Summit/Reading Brownfield Site Phase 2 Report

Motion: Transit Orientated Development Opportunity Corridors

GroundworkUSA Resources

  • GWUSA Brownfields and Land Use Technical Assistance
    • Groundwork USA is committed to supporting community-led brownfield and land reuse efforts nationwide. Through our Nonprofit Brownfields Assistance Program, we work with nonprofits of all sizes to help integrate land reuse strategies into their mission-centered work and advance brownfield and land reuse projects that transform underutilized spaces into parks, trails, urban farms, and other community assets.
  • Creating Parks Green Spaces from Brownfields
    • In all our brownfields redevelopment and land reuse projects, Groundwork Trusts engage local residents every step of the way, from pre-development through construction and ongoing stewardship and maintenance. Utilizing community-centered development strategies, Groundwork Trusts help communities realize their vision and ensure that redevelopment projects make our communities healthier and safer places to live, work, and play.
  • Guide to Advancing Equity in Land Reuse Planning and Visioning
    • Brownfield sites, once seen exclusively as liabilities, are now recognized as catalysts for positive change. Communities affected by brownfields face challenges such as potential exposure to hazardous substances, community disinvestment, and decreased property values. However, brownfield reuse can bring new life to neighborhoods, create jobs, attract investment, mitigate injustices and public health concerns, and revitalize once-neglected areas.
  • GWUSA's Get Curious: Land Reuse For Beginners
    • Brownfield revitalization and land reuse projects broadly are incredibly impactful opportunities to transform unused and contaminated properties into community spaces that benefit your neighborhood.
  • Brownfields: Abandoned Places to Community Spaces video
    • EPA Brownfield 101 presentations – These are short, informative presentations (10-13 slides each) with transcription and voice-over recordings. You can find them here on the right hand side of the page under "Learn more".
  • EPA's Understanding Brownfield fact sheets.
    • These fact sheets provide a simple and visual introduction to brownfields.

Federal Resources

New Guides from EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization:

  • 2025 Brownfield Federal Program Guide PDF
  • Leading Local Revitalization (website and PDF)
  • Navigating Funding for Brownfields Revitalization (web text and PDF)
  • Six Community Actions that Drive Brownfields Revitalization (web text and PDF)
  • EPA Brownfields Assessment Grants Fact Sheet
  • EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet
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This project was supported by:

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