E.P.A. Declares $600,000 in Brownfields Grants to Philadelphia Redevelopment Authorities

PHILADELPHIA (July 29, 2015) - The E.P.A. announced 3 brownfields grants for a total of $600,000 - $400,000 to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development and $200,000 to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. The grants will support efforts underway in assessing brownfields sites that are potentially contaminated with petroleum and hazardous substances so they can be cleaned up and redeveloped into beneficial spaces. Brownfields are properties where real or suspected environmental contamination has prevented productive reuse.

"I want to congratulate Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority on their success in redeveloping brownfields sites," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "These funds will not only be used to assess contamination, but will also facilitate the sites being returned to a more productive use that will have lasting benefits to the surrounding communities."

The funds announced today will aid in assessing abandoned industrial and commercial properties, frequently in underserved and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, so they are more livable, equitable and vibrant. They will be used in developing neighborhood urban gardens and agriculture at the Bartram South site, next to Bartram Gardens.

"As the factories of Philadelphia came and went, vacant land and contaminated soil was often left behind," said Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Director Brian Abernathy. "As Philadelphia looks to the future, green space, urban agriculture and storm water infrastructure will be key to community revitalization. We appreciate the EPA's help and support as we work to identify, assess and redevelop some of our vacant parcels into community assets."

E.P.A. has been a long-time partner in Philadelphia's redevelopment efforts. Including today's announcement, E.P.A. has provided 17 grants totaling $5.6 million. With these funds, the city has assessed in excess of 320 properties. In 1997, a $650,000 brownfields revolving loan led to the cleanup of the Frankford Arsenal. E.P.A. is also supporting 2 area wide planning efforts underway that are engaging residents and planning for brownfields revitalization in Bridesburg and in Kensington.

These 3 grants were selected through a national competitive process, nationally 147 communities were chosen to gain 243 grants totaling $54.3 million in 2015 for assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites.

For information about environmental assessment grants, visit:http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/ assessment_grants.htm .

For a list of all brownfields grants by state, visit: http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/

There are currently no comments for this story. Be the first to add a comment!
Click here to add a comment about this story.