Repurposing Industrial Land: The JMEagle Success Story

Course Details

Master planning of the JMEagle site in Denison, Texas, is a testament to persistence, communication, and the ability to integrate multiple technical resources to revitalize a large-format development.

Abandoned more than 30 years ago, the JMEagle asbestos-pipe manufacturing facility was a challenge for 25 years. Then a team of planners, engineers, and local economic-development professionals developed a unique strategy to mitigate legacy environmental impacts and liability, while also addressing floodplain, blight, and failing infrastructure problems. They obtained Economic Development Administration funding for a master plan that addresses many issues inhibiting reuse of the site and worked closely with the site’s Los Angeles-based owner to gain land control. Their innovative approach included developing a vision, achieving consensus, and collaborating with state, federal, and local funding partners.

This case study highlights the need for creativity, communication, and planning to repurpose a site — whether a small lot or a large industrial property — to become a productive part of the community again.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify public-private strategies to revitalize abandoned, vacant, industrial properties.
• Use federal funding to build a revitalization strategy.
• Build a vision rooted in the wants and needs of both the public and private sectors that can achieve outcomes for all.