Background

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a Brownfields Assessment Grant Program.  This Program provides local communities with up to $300,000 for assessment activities, cleanup activities, revolving loan programs, planning grants and technical assistance.  These grants may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants.  To date, the City has received $1,400,000 in EPA Brownfields Grants for environmental assessment, clean-up, and planning activities focused on South Main, Mid-City and West Broadway. 

Discussion

Staff wishes to submit a new EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant application for a community-wide grant. These funds will be utilized to inventory, characterize, assess and conduct planning for many properties located throughout the city with priority in the neighborhood adjacent to the South Expressway.  The proposed project area will encompass from 9^th Avenue to Interstate-80 and from South 3^rd Street to South 9^th Street.

If awarded, funding is envisioned to assist environment assessments for the following activities:

· Updating assessments on properties and structures already owned by the City;

· Completing assessments on properties that the City may acquire along the corridor in the future; and

· Completing assessments on private redevelopment activities in the corridor.