HOUSINGNEWS REPORT
FEATURED ARTICLE
From Pollution to Profits: How Superfund Sites Impact Real Estate
BY PETER MILLER, STAFF WRITER
In America we generally like things which are super. Bring on the Super Bowl, supersize lunch, and of course tell us about the super-rich. There is one big exception: mention the term “Superfund site” and the instant image involves unusable land laced with chemicals that oozes rusty bolts and probably emits nuclear radiation.
The catch is that general labels may not be accurate. Large numbers of Superfund sites have been redeveloped and many are now ecological and financial success stories. Nationwide there are about 4,000 major sites in the cleanup inventory. These include 1,337 Superfund sites as well as an estimated 2,700 Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS). These sites —
which include many large, well-located properties — should not be written off as scrap real estate where the highest and best use is avoidance. Uncle Sam is spending big money to bring these areas back and has had some notable successes: no less important opportunities remain to convert what is now junk real estate into prime and profitable property.
ATTOM Data Solutions • P1
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