Historically, the image of closed or abandoned landfills was a nightmare for many communities, neighborhoods and economic development specialists. However, there is now a growing trend and recognition that, with proper engineering design, many old landfill properties can be redeveloped successfully into commercial, industrial and residential uses. No longer is it the immediate and appropriate conclusion that a site can not be developed merely because it was the site of former landfilling activities. The adoption of Brownfield legislation, liability reform and new Brownfield financial incentives have created opportunities for developers to reuse such sites in productive ways.
Home Depot, for example, built a store at 12 ½ Mile and Southfield Road in Southfield, Michigan, on a former municipal landfill that had been closed for almost thirty (30) years. After incorporating special design features to accommodate potential differential settling over the old fill, Home Depot was able
