In a series of meetings, the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NJ-NAIOP) identified what was thought to be a significant stumbling block to the redevelopment of a significant number of contaminated properties in the state. The cost of cleanup of contaminated sites was so prohibitive in the second wave of property selection because they were more complex with many different contamination issues.

In discussions with state officials significant funds were identified that had been constitutionally dedicated to purposes for which much of the money was no longer needed. The fund was renewable each year and was already dedicated to environmental cleanup but was not being fully utilized.

In order to access the funds for a broader array of environmental clean-up projects, a strategy was developed that incorporated a constitutional question that allowed the broader uses; legislation that provided a statutory basis for applying the funds to tax incentives; and, reimbursement to innocent redevelopers for cleanup costs. A grass roots campaign was developed that included press events at “brownfields” sites, broad-based editorial support for the amendment and billboard advertising.

New Jersey voters overwhelming endorsed the ballot question, providing $100 million in existing funding to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites. The entire process was completed in one year’s time.