How can the findings of the Chicago Pilot case study be applied beyond Brownfields activities?
The Chicago Brownfields Pilot has shown that through dedication, long-term stakeholder involvement, and education, it was able to overcome the initial skepticism that hinders brownfields redevelopment and establish a solid track record of past performance for future projects. The broad-based, inclusive type of decision-making evidenced in the Brownfields Forum is easily transferable to other types of community decision-making processes that require multiple stakeholders, such as master planning, park and greenway development, capital improvements, and stadium siting. Another lesson from the Chicago Pilot is that relationship-building between the City and local communities can help address other community issues. Alderman Chandler of the 24th Ward illustrated an example of how the City and the local community worked together to solve a related crime and blight issue. Illegal dumping is a large and expensive problem for the City of Chicago, with an annual average cleanup price tag of $11
