UD is turning brownfields into green pastures by reviving hazardous space at NCR for campus expansion or part of the area's redevelopment.

The term brownfield has been used to describe parts of NCR's grounds that have contamination from previous uses. Brownfields, according to Ohio Environment Protection Agency's Web site, are "real property, the expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant."

Part of the NCR property had contamination because they did manufacturing there and contamination was found in the ground waters, said Heather Lauer, southwest media coordinator for the Ohio EPA. However, there was not anything that threatened the community. A substance may have percolated down into the Earth in the soil and around the rocks.

But taking on NCR and potential contamination left by industry is not something UD is unfamiliar with. In 2005 UD acquired 50 acres from NCR which was a brownfield and had contamination. This includes the property along Stewart Street between the Great Miami River and Brown Street.

During that time, UD applied for grants such as the Clean Ohio Fund and received $3 million to pay for a development plan for each property, according to senior site coordinator for the Southwest district office of the Ohio EPA, Joe Smindak.

UD eliminated contaminates, removed chemicals and took them to a landfill and submitted documents to state whether they met applicable standards as standard protocol for eliminating contamination, which was successful.

According to Smindak, east of Main Street has been awarded money for cleanup; however, they are still in the investigative phase.

But the problem with brownfields may not be as bad for the recent NCR land UD purchased as it was for the 2005 purchase because people were less careful back then than they are today, according to Lauer. People would pour out their degreasers in the parking lot because they would kill weeds and the remainder would evaporate.

Brownfields put a risk on not only the environment, but also the community, especially when dealing with property usage for the future.

"If the land is not being used there isn't any production and properties surrounding could be hurt," Smindak said.

By purchasing the land, the university is ensuring the NCR property isn't damaged or unusable.

Once UD moves to the former NCR headquarters, initiatives such as UDRI, new labs and offices and space for the graduate school and Alumni Center will be made available. UD will also be able to use the land behind NCR, Old River Park, for picnics, nature studies, hiking and more outdoor activities.