City Planning Staffer Recognized for Work on Brownfields

Steven Azar, a senior planner with the city's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, was named "Person of the Year" this week by Brownfield Renewal Magazine, according to an announcement from the city.

You can read the magazine's profile of Azar here.

Azar, who joined the city's planning staff in 2008, has helped secure several grants and awards for cleaning up brownfields—former industrial or commercial sites that are contaminated and therefore difficult to redevelop—in the city, the magazine says.

It noted his work in managing development work in Assembly Square and for his efforts in securing funds to clean up the former Kiley Barrel site in Union Square, which is slated to be redeveloped in concert with the planned Union Square Green Line station.

Azar was selected from a nomination pool of 23 candidates from around the country, according to the city's announcement and the Brownfield Renewal website.