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Hispanic Citizens Invited to National Conference to Revitalize Communities Across the U.S.

Release Date: 10/26/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017 (English only) Lina Younes (202) 564-9924 (Espanol and English)

(Boston, Mass. – Oct. 26, 2006) – Bienvenidos a Boston! Next month, professionals and advocates from all over the United States will convene at the Brownfields 2006 Conference, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass.

Brownfields 2006 is the largest, most comprehensive annual conference focused on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties to create open spaces, affordable housing and other economically viable and productive reuse. This free conference runs from Nov. 13 -15, and will include educational sessions, networking events, an exhibit hall with more than 270 exhibitors, special trainings, workshops, and more.

Of special interest to Hispanic citizens, former NFL-All Pro Fuad Reviez (now a successful real estate developer), will be featured as the closing speaker of the 11th national conference on Nov. 15. Reveiz currently hosts the DIY Network's "Weekend Remodeling" program, building on his extensive experience as a developer and builder of residential communities. Since his retirement from the Minnesota Vikings in 1996, Reveiz has played a major role in the popularity of the NFL among Spanish language fans. As a featured NFL analyst for ESPN International and ESPN deportes networks, Fuad brings a unique combination of professional experience and an understanding of the millions of Spanish speaking fans. Reveiz is an American Lung Association Health House Registered Builder and he is currently building the first subdivision in the Southeast recognized as a “Health House Community.”

Other sessions of the conference of notable interest to Hispanic citizens include a National Environmental Justice/Community Brownfields Caucus, run by the Center for Public Environmental Oversight, to be held the night before the Conference kick off. Community activists who have drafted position papers on emerging issues in Brownfields revitalization will solicit public comment and finalize recommendations on improving community involvement in the brownfields redevelopment process. This session is open to the public.

Also, a Town Meeting Plenary on the second day will be moderated by Ray Suarez, a Senior Correspondent on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. During this session, panelists representing architects, planners, environmental justice advocates and developers will respond to questions from the audience, just like a traditional town hall setting. Suarez has more than 25 years experience in the news business. His work has been featured on PBS, National Public Radio, CNN, ABC Radio, and CBS Radio. He has also written several books, including The Old Neighborhood: What We Lost in the Great Suburban Migration.

EPA will be able to provide Spanish speaking citizens with translation services if arranged ahead of time. Registration is on-site for this FREE conference. Please be specify your translation needs in advance.

For more information on Brownfields 2006: A Revolution in Redevelopment and Revitalization visit www.brownfields2006.org.

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