Brownfields One-Stop Shop Forum: A Test Strategy for Inter-Agency Cooperation in Northeast Ohio

The Brownfields One Stop Shop (BOSS) is the culmination of a process created over a year ago that brought together several federal and local public agencies to address the complexities of applying resources to support brownfields redevelopment. The idea was originally developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 brownfields Project Manager, Edwin Smith, and by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Cleveland Office Community Builder, Paul Diegelman. Together, they developed an initial concept for a collaborative introductory meeting, and presented the idea to the Cleveland Federal Executive Board members. The project was accepted as a natural outgrowth of the broad federal outreach effort of the Federal Interagency Working Group on Brownfields. The BOSS is a locally based initiative

Coastal Training Strategy for the Ohio Lake Erie Basin

An analysis of the market for coastal resources management training in Ohio’s Lake Erie basin identified the challenges faced by coastal decision-makers and the disparities currently existing within this market. The primary challenges identified were in the quality of instruction and in the types of training provided. Disparities indicated were with coordination, equipment and logistical factors, external and internal marketing and promotional assistance, funding, personnel and staff assistance, and legislative and regulatory concerns. These disparities are indications of opportunities to establish partnerships and collaborative networks to facilitate coordinated training initiatives; to re-examine and develop course content and locations to better meet the needs and expectations of decision-makers more effectively; and to develop strategies for the dissemination of training information and opportunities effectively and efficiently to decision-makers, policy makers, and training providers

Strategy for the Implementation of an Industrial Land Bank

The City of Cleveland plans to create a long-term vision for industrial and commercial land reuse in order to better serve the business and neighborhood interests of its citizens. The implementation of an industrial land bank is one critical way in which to fulfill this goal. This study aimed to develop a strategy to aid the city in the operation and management of rehabilitating commercial and industrial properties for reuse. The objectives of the project were to: * Incorporate a strategy understood by senior managers at the city that identifies a broad economic redevelopment vision, especially for brownfields. * Include in the plan strategies for financing the acquisition and/or transfer of properties into the land bank. * Establish elements in the plan to include both short- and long-term implementation

Strategy for the Implementation of an Industrial Land Bank

The City of Cleveland plans to create a long-term vision for industrial and commercial land reuse in order to better serve the business and neighborhood interests of its citizens. The implementation of an industrial land bank is one critical way in which to fulfill this goal. This study aimed to develop a strategy to aid the city in the operation and management of rehabilitating commercial and industrial properties for reuse. The objectives of the project were to: * Incorporate a strategy understood by senior managers at the city that identifies a broad economic redevelopment vision, especially for brownfields. * Include in the plan strategies for financing the acquisition and/or transfer of properties into the land bank. * Establish elements in the plan to include both short- and long-term implementation

Best Practices in Land Bank Operation

In preparation for the development of a strategic business plan for the City of Cleveland to create an industrial/commercial land bank, the GLFEC conducted a best practices scan that encompassed two phases of primary research. The first phase included a thorough review of more than 41 sources of academic and trade literature on the topics of vacant land utilization and management, land banking, land assembly, and vacant and abandoned property policy. The second phase was a survey of 34 land banks and land redevelopment authorities in the United States. This report summarizes the findings of the research and identifies those practices in land-bank operation in the United States that currently define the models of operation and point to the best policies and practices in use today

Needs Assessment: A Report on Seven Focus Groups in Ohio: Report Summary

Coastal decision-makers and training providers in the Ohio Lake Erie basin participated in seven focus groups to generate information on coastal resources knowledge and training needs. Six of the focus groups were comprised of a cross-section of professionals who make decisions affecting watershed areas or Lake Erie coastal areas (non-providers); the seventh was comprised of training providers (providers). Discussions centered on two main areas: core knowledge needs and training needs

Needs Assessment: A Report on Seven Focus Groups in Ohio

A series of seven focus groups were conducted in various locations throughout northern Ohio to identify and assess coastal resources management training needs across the Ohio Great Lakes basin. The focus groups were comprised of a cross-section of professionals who make decisions affecting watershed areas or Lake Erie coastal areas. Six of the focus groups included decision-makers considered previous and potential users of coastal resources management training (non-providers). A seventh focus group included decision-makers who provide training in coastal resources management (providers)

Trends Analysis of Coastal Training Programs in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System

The National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) Coastal Training Program (CTP) is a system-wide training program that aims to increase informed decision-making related to coastal resource management at local and regional levels. The CTP serves as the NERRS flagship program for knowledge and information transfer, and provides an effective vehicle to ensure that science-based knowledge and skills get into the hands and minds of those individuals making decisions about the coast on a regular basis in a professional or volunteer capacity. At the local level, Reserve staff conducts intensive planning to develop targeted training programs that complement other training efforts within the region. The Reserves partner with multiple agencies and organizations to transfer relevant scientific and technical resources and information to key audiences around priority coastal resource issues

Coastal Training Strategy for the Ohio Lake Erie Basin

An analysis of the market for coastal resources management training in Ohio’s Lake Erie basin identified the challenges faced by coastal decision-makers and the disparities currently existing within this market. The primary challenges identified were in the quality of instruction and in the types of training provided. Disparities indicated were with coordination, equipment and logistical factors, external and internal marketing and promotional assistance, funding, personnel and staff assistance, and legislative and regulatory concerns. These disparities are indications of opportunities to establish partnerships and collaborative networks to facilitate coordinated training initiatives; to re-examine and develop course content and locations to better meet the needs and expectations of decision-makers more effectively; and to develop strategies for the dissemination of training information and opportunities effectively and efficiently to decision-makers, policy makers, and training providers

Trends Analysis of Coastal Training Programs in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System

The National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) Coastal Training Program (CTP) is a system-wide training program that aims to increase informed decision-making related to coastal resource management at local and regional levels. The CTP serves as the NERRS flagship program for knowledge and information transfer, and provides an effective vehicle to ensure that science-based knowledge and skills get into the hands and minds of those individuals making decisions about the coast on a regular basis in a professional or volunteer capacity. At the local level, Reserve staff conducts intensive planning to develop targeted training programs that complement other training efforts within the region. The Reserves partner with multiple agencies and organizations to transfer relevant scientific and technical resources and information to key audiences around priority coastal resource issues