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The development of golf
courses on brownfields holds both risks and rewards for property owners,
developers, and the communities within which such undertakings occur. A
comparison of risks and benefits affecting each of these groups and the
environment is provided in the following tables.
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Brownfield Owners
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RISKS |
BENEFITS |
| Perceived increased environmental liability due to
construction and golf course operation. |
Conversion of idle asset to a beneficial reuse. |
| Perceived liability related to the increased number of
people at the site, and possible associated health claims. |
Risk reduction and, in some cases, near elimination. |
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Reduction or elimination of post-closure reserves. |
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Cost offset or potential income from site lease or, in some
cases, sale. |
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Improved community & regulatory relations through
conversion of blighted property to community asset. |
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Improved site security and general maintenance. |
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Optimized site environmental
performance through control system, cap, drainage, and vegetative layer
improvements.
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Developers
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RISKS |
BENEFITS |
| Environmental liability associated with
pre-existing conditions and unknown conditions. |
Low or no land cost. |
| Higher construction and maintenance costs
associated with building on a brownfield. |
Many sites have ideal locations and
accessibility near large metro areas. |
| Overcoming contamination,
landfill odor, gas, settlement,
leachate. |
Many sites have necessary fill and
water resources. |
| Stigma of site location and surrounding land
use. |
Landfill cells provide interesting topographic
features for golf. |
| Permitting uncertainties. |
Permitting may be easier due to regulatory and
community brownfield initiatives. |
| Community opposition. |
Community opposition may be minimal given the
many benefits of converting a blighted property to a community asset. |
| Reticence of financial community to
participate in brownfield development, particularly golf. |
Insurance products are becoming more available
to offset potential liabilities.
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Community
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RISKS |
BENEFITS |
| Temporary construction nuisance. |
New jobs. |
| Increased property tax. |
Increased property values. |
| Increased traffic to area. |
Stimulation of new development. |
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New recreational amenity. |
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Manicured green space and nature preserve. |
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Improved site security, maintenance, and environmental
performance. |
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Increased tax base. |
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Beneficial reuse of fallow land. |
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Environment
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RISKS |
BENEFITS |
| Golf course construction and maintenance could exacerbate an
environmental contamination problem. |
Golf course construction typically involves the improvement
of environmental control systems, including the cap, gas system, leachate
control, and general drainage. |
| Golf course maintenance will create a new water demand. |
Pre-existing environmental problems are typically addressed
as part of the development process. |
| Wetlands may be destroyed during construction. |
Wetlands are typically enhanced and preserved, and new
wetlands often created providing wildlife preservation areas. |
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The manicured and maintained golf course turf and drainage
system can result in reduced leachate production. |
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Developments are typically highly insured to provide
financial resources in the event of future environmental impairment. |
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Large green space provides a cooling effect in the area. |
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