Brownfields I: Is Your Home on ‘Redeveloped’ Land that Used to be an Industrial Site?

If you own or are purchasing a home in Harris County, that had previously been used for another purpose, be aware that prior industrial contamination may affect your health, your ability to get financing, and legal liability under environmental law.  The Law Office of Elliott Klein is here to help you in this situation.

In Houston, there has been an explosion of home development on lands that were formerly occupied by manufacturing plants, warehouses, unregulated landfills, and railroad yards. At these locations the ground may be contaminated with hazardous industrial wastes that have been deposited decades ago. Such land is known as ‘brownfields’ Some of the greatest development on old industrial sites has been in the EDO (East of Downtown) District in Houston which lies, just on the other side of Highway 59 by Minute Maid Stadium. This area was formerly known as the ‘Warehouse District’ which housed scores of factories, warehouses and miles of railroad tracks for over 100 years.  It is now being ‘redeveloped’, with thousands of newly constructed townhomes and condominiums. There are dozens more similar known sites all through Harris County, and many others which have not yet been identified.

If you have concerns about environmental hazards and soil pollution of the home you own, or considering purchasing, contact the Law Office of Elliott Klein for an evaluation of your situation.