In April 2014, the Trumbull County Brownfield Coalition presented at the Ohio Brownfields Conference on lessons of collaboration and engagement learned from administering their EPA Assessment Grant. Below is a summary of the lessons learned.
1. Get the Right People on the Team
We found that this consisted of politicians, local businesses, property owners, media, citizens, educational institutions, and non-profits.
2. Be inclusive
Build bridges over to other existing resources with common or parallel objectives. Utilize talents that already exist. Other organizations and initiatives often exist that have overlapping objectives that can be a source of valuable talent and resources and can help build broader support for the collaboration.
3. Determine who’s leading the parade
A figurehead organization that can lead the charge is essential. Brownfield redevelopment is necessary - but it's also often long, tedious, and difficult. So you need an organization that has the long-term vision and the resources to shepherd the process, and that everyone can agree is at the helm
4. Focus, Focus, Focus
The coalition must be focused on specific mutually beneficial goals/objectives/projects and not try to be all things to all people. The Trumbull County Brownfield Coalition focuses exclusively on brownfield and related urban core redevelopment issues common to its collaborating communities.
Establishing priorities is very important. Where should the redevelopment happen? When and why does it need to happen? How will you go about it? If redevelopment funding is involved, how will you prioritize which sites will receive funding? In addition to keeping the coalition members friendly, it shows the funding agencies that you have your game.
An example from our experience on the need to focus is what we call the Golden Triangle. The coalition mutually agreed that the brownfield assessment work should happen in the Golden Triangle, but was hard-pressed to draw its' boundaries on a map at our first meeting. Here you can see the results of our initial focus.
5. Grow It
Often collaborations try to be too big or all encompassing. Begin with a common manageable objective that lends itself to collaboration and build from there. The Trumbull County Brownfield Coalition began as the Mahoning River of Opportunity (MRCO), which consisted of three cities in Mahoning County, which were all adversely impacted by the lack of access to a mutually shared property. Only after the MRCO showed it could successfully collaborate to address brownfield redevelopment
6. Prove it Works
A small initial successful first step can grow support. After the original collaboration through the MRCI showed it could successfully address a mutual brownfield issue together was there buy in.
7. “I’m Probably Not Listening to You”
There is nothing sexy and glamorous about brownfields. Brownfield redevelopment is complex, painfully lengthily, and boring. Never assume anyone outside those actively involved care, or are listening. Most don’t and aren’t.
8. Engagement
A website, newsletter, and occasional news articles are not enough. From pecha kucha and ving, to websites and social media, successful engagement must use every tool in the box to reach both the inside game and outside game audiences. Otherwise you’re talking to yourself, or preaching to the choir.
Nothing replaces personal contact when trying to sell ugly. This is especially true with regard to property owners and those who believe they have escaped the consequences of sprawl. Champions must personally reach out to sell ugly, or no one is buying.
9. Keep it Super Simple
There is no “one size fits all” message to sell ugly. Tailor concise messages targeted at each audience’s self interest. Why should they care? What’s in it for the suburbanite? Brownfield property owner? Farmer? Businessman? Developer?
10. Can you hear me now?
Spending more money and time on what you don’t want to and less on what you do?
Have at three bedroom house and a four bedroom garage?
Taxes too high?
Is your property worth what it should be?
Does buying bread and milk become a journey?
1. Get the Right People on the Team
We found that this consisted of politicians, local businesses, property owners, media, citizens, educational institutions, and non-profits.
2. Be inclusive
Build bridges over to other existing resources with common or parallel objectives. Utilize talents that already exist. Other organizations and initiatives often exist that have overlapping objectives that can be a source of valuable talent and resources and can help build broader support for the collaboration.
3. Determine who’s leading the parade
A figurehead organization that can lead the charge is essential. Brownfield redevelopment is necessary - but it's also often long, tedious, and difficult. So you need an organization that has the long-term vision and the resources to shepherd the process, and that everyone can agree is at the helm
4. Focus, Focus, Focus
The coalition must be focused on specific mutually beneficial goals/objectives/projects and not try to be all things to all people. The Trumbull County Brownfield Coalition focuses exclusively on brownfield and related urban core redevelopment issues common to its collaborating communities.
Establishing priorities is very important. Where should the redevelopment happen? When and why does it need to happen? How will you go about it? If redevelopment funding is involved, how will you prioritize which sites will receive funding? In addition to keeping the coalition members friendly, it shows the funding agencies that you have your game.
An example from our experience on the need to focus is what we call the Golden Triangle. The coalition mutually agreed that the brownfield assessment work should happen in the Golden Triangle, but was hard-pressed to draw its' boundaries on a map at our first meeting. Here you can see the results of our initial focus.
5. Grow It
Often collaborations try to be too big or all encompassing. Begin with a common manageable objective that lends itself to collaboration and build from there. The Trumbull County Brownfield Coalition began as the Mahoning River of Opportunity (MRCO), which consisted of three cities in Mahoning County, which were all adversely impacted by the lack of access to a mutually shared property. Only after the MRCO showed it could successfully collaborate to address brownfield redevelopment
6. Prove it Works
A small initial successful first step can grow support. After the original collaboration through the MRCI showed it could successfully address a mutual brownfield issue together was there buy in.
7. “I’m Probably Not Listening to You”
There is nothing sexy and glamorous about brownfields. Brownfield redevelopment is complex, painfully lengthily, and boring. Never assume anyone outside those actively involved care, or are listening. Most don’t and aren’t.
8. Engagement
A website, newsletter, and occasional news articles are not enough. From pecha kucha and ving, to websites and social media, successful engagement must use every tool in the box to reach both the inside game and outside game audiences. Otherwise you’re talking to yourself, or preaching to the choir.
Nothing replaces personal contact when trying to sell ugly. This is especially true with regard to property owners and those who believe they have escaped the consequences of sprawl. Champions must personally reach out to sell ugly, or no one is buying.
9. Keep it Super Simple
There is no “one size fits all” message to sell ugly. Tailor concise messages targeted at each audience’s self interest. Why should they care? What’s in it for the suburbanite? Brownfield property owner? Farmer? Businessman? Developer?
10. Can you hear me now?
Spending more money and time on what you don’t want to and less on what you do?
Have at three bedroom house and a four bedroom garage?
Taxes too high?
Is your property worth what it should be?
Does buying bread and milk become a journey?