We will advocate for financial incentives for developments constructed in coordination with a BOA
There is currently no incentive for private developers who own property within a BOA to work with the community's redevelopment plan. Often community groups have a limited ability to acquire and remediate sites on their own. Therefore, community-based brownfield redevelopment often requires the participation of site owners and developers in order to have any tangible impact.

When each side works together, projects can be designed that meet the needs both of the landowner and the community; for example, the redevelopment of the Rheingold Brewery in Bushwick was done as a partnership between the community, the BluestoneOrganization, and the City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development. It included 300 affordable housing units and won a Phoenix Award for Excellence in brownfield redevelopment.

But, in many cases, landlords note that community-based planning can add further delay to the already-lengthy process of brownfield redevelopment. Although the BOA legislation currently states that projects consistent with BOA plans be given "preference and priority" for incentives, the State has not defined the nature of the preference and no project has benefited.

We will advocate for the State to encourage these partnerships more strongly by creating a financial incentive for plans that reflect BOA guidelines. This incentive would provide a measurable reason for developers to factor community interests into their development plans, maximizing potential coordination opportunities.

Progress (as of 4/22/08):
In addition to BOA program reform, the Administration included a proposal to give a 10% BCP tax credit to sites redeveloped in accordance with a BOA in the Albany legislation submitted in May. The Administration further described the proposal in testimony at a Senate/Assembly brownfields hearing on September 25. In January, the Governor's 2008 budget bill included the tax credit. The Administration will continue to work with community partners and advocate with the Governor's Office, NYS DEC, Assembly and Senate Members and their staff for the enactment of this incentive.