The “Brownie Awards”, are handed out annually by the Canadian Brownfields Network, the country’s preeminent professional organization focusing on advancing solutions to brownfield redevelopment.
They recognize those who are dedicated to the rehabilitation and revitalization of underutilized properties, also known as brownfield sites. Award recipients were recognized for their ability to transform underdeveloped properties into valuable municipal assets that contribute to the growth of healthy communities across the country.
On November 25, 2020, Canadian Brownfields Network’s 21st Brownie Awards were presented by Actual Media.
Under-utilized properties, or brownfields, represent a significant opportunity for new development within a community. These sites, some of which pose an environmental risk to the community, can be transformed into valuable municipal assets through remediation and rehabilitation.
Taking a “Brownfields First” approach to infill development can remove properties that have become an eyesore for residents, improve the quality of life in our communities, and create needed projects without tearing up green space.
“Those honoured with Brownie Awards should be celebrated for their dedication to creating stronger, healthier communities,” said Christopher De Sousa, chair of the Canadian Brownfields Network. “On behalf of CBN, I wanted to thank all of our nominees for their tireless dedication to brownfield rehabilitation and redevelopment.”
The City of Hamilton and Dillon Consulting were recognized as Canada’s Best Large Project for their collaborative work on the Pier 8 Redevelopment.
The Pier 8 project, which will transform the 13-hectare (32 acres) former industrial shipping pier into a new mixed-use residential and commercial development, was recognized for its innovative approach to bringing the lands to a “development-ready” state, by proactive engagement across public and private sectors and its efficient risk management strategy.
Pier 8 is a key part of the City’s strategy to redevelop the West Harbour into a vibrant, mixed-use area for people to live, work and play. The redevelopment includes the creation of new parks, roads, sidewalks and open-spaces that will allow full public access to the water’s edge, in an area that was previously inaccessible due to the historical industrial uses.
Award winners were announced during the Brownie Award e-gala on November 24, 2020. The project was recognized for its proactive approach in engaging with the Ministry of the Environment, local stakeholder groups, consultants and the private development community.
The Pier 8 waterfront community will include approximately 1,600 residential units, 13,000 square meters of commercial and institutional space, and over 1,400 parking spaces.
The City of Hamilton and Dillon Consulting led and obtained the risk assessment and Record of Site Condition for the Pier 8 Redevelopment, attracting further interest from private developers and an increased market value of the development blocks.
The Brownie Awards includes the recognition of 10 people, projects and technologies that are responsible for moving the industry forward. There are six individual categories, three for overall project/program recognition, as well as the Brownfielder of the Year award. The Brownfielder of the Year recognizes the person or persons having the greatest positive impact on the industry.
The 2020 Brownfielder of the Year is Josee Samson of the City of Montreal. Samson has been an environmental engineer with the City for nearly three decades. In that time, she has been the primary advocate for addressing Montreal’s unique brownfield issues, lobbying for provincial and federal support to facilitate site remediation. Josee has been instrumental in the development of innovative tools for tracking and monitoring sites. And she has been instrumental in providing the support needed for the redevelopment of the City’s most challenging, daunting remediation projects.
The full list of winners of the 2020 Brownie Awards:
- REPROGRAM: Legislation, Policy and Program Initiatives
Brownfields Modernization & Excess Soil Regulation – Toronto, Ont. - REMEDIATE: Sustainable Remediation and Technological Innovation
Parc D’entreprises de la Pointe Saint – Charles Environmental Remediation – Montreal, Que. - REINVEST: Financing, Risk Management and Partnerships
Lakeview Village – Mississauga, Ont. - REBUILD: Redevelopment at the Local, Site Scale
75 Billy Bishop – Toronto, Ont. - RENEW: Development at the Community Scale
Crosstown Celestica – Toronto, Ont. - REACH OUT: Communications, Marketing and Public Engagement
The Meadoway (TRCA) – Toronto, Ont. - BEST SMALL PROJECT
Bata Shoe Factory – Batawa, Ont. - BEST LARGE PROJECT
Pier 8 Redevelopment – Hamilton, Ont. - BEST OVERALL PROJECT
Reunion Crossing – Toronto, Ont. - BROWNFIELDER OF THE YEAR
Josee Samson – City of Montreal
Rendering of Pier 8 courtesy of Dillon Consulting.