(Lenexa, Kan., March 9, 2015) - Dubuque, Iowa, and Pittsburg, Kan., have been chosen to gain backing from EPA's Brownfields Grant Plan to conduct area-wide planning in support of community redevelopment efforts aimed at the revitalization of properties that may be contaminated by hazardous substances or pollutants, E.P.A. officials announced today.
The 2 grants in E.P.A. Region seven - $200,000 to Dubuque, and $196,400 to Pittsburg - are among a total of approximately $4 million in new area-wide planning grants that E.P.A. will provide to help strengthen the economies of 20 communities in 16 states across the country.
EPA's Brownfields Plan empowers states, communities and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield is defined as 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.
EPA's Brownfields Area-Wide Planning (AWP) Plan helps communities respond to local challenges, particularly where multiple brownfield sites are in close proximity, connected by infrastructure, and limit the environmental and social prosperity of their surroundings. AWP grants help communities perform the research needed to develop area-wide projects and strategies for brownfields assessment, cleanup and reuse.
The City of Dubuque will use its $200,000 AWP grant to work with the community and other stakeholders to develop an area-wide project and implementation strategy for the 33-acre South Port area along its Mississippi riverfront. South Port has experienced significant decline over the past 40 years. Dubuque's ultimate goal is to convert the former industrial properties of South Port into a new downtown mixed-use neighborhood where people can reconnect with the Mississippi River in a walkable, transit-oriented environment.
The City of Pittsburg will use its $196,400 AWP grant to work with the community and other stakeholders to develop an area-wide project and implementation strategy for the 350-acre Mid-City Renaissance area, located near the city's newly revitalized downtown. The location was home to several zinc smelters dating from the late 1800s, a clay pipe manufacturing plant, and an industrial location that generated hazardous materials. The area is ideally located for many redevelopment options, which could include retail businesses, restaurants, housing, and transportation choices such as expanded biking and hiking trails.
Nationwide, this is the 3rd round of grants awarded under the Brownfields AWP program. The 2010 pilot program, through which approximately $4 million was awarded to fund project development in 23 communities, has leveraged approximately $418 million in infrastructure and plan development investments.
