Perspectives from the Regional Administrator

Dallas Receives $200,000 from EPA

EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced that Dallas has been selected to receive a Brownfields redevelopment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"If you ever need proof that Brownfields grants help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, look no further than Dallas's own American Airlines Center," Greene said. "A few short years ago, an EPA Brownfields grant helped leverage resources for this downtown property, accelerating its transformation from an eyesore to an economic engine. I look forward to seeing the untapped potential of South Dallas receive the same boost."

The grant follows on Dallas's long-term success in EPA's Brownfields program. Dallas has a nationally recognized Brownfields program, and has leveraged more than $922 million for Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment and more than 6,000 jobs since 1995.

This year, the city will receive $200,000 for community-wide assessment of hazardous substances sites. The city plans to target studies in South Dallas, Fair Park, West Dallas, the Cedars and the South Side Public Improvement District. Many underutilized or abandoned properties throughout the target area pose potential threats to the surrounding community. The city will also perform community outreach in its southern sector.

A Brownfield is a property which may have expansion, redevelopment or reuse challenges from hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. EPA's Brownfields program is designed to help stakeholders assess, safely clean and sustainably reuse these properties. Reinvesting in Brownfields increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, uses existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off undeveloped land, and improves and protects the environment.

Applicants receiving 292 Brownfields grants in four categories totaling $69.9 million are being announced nationwide.

More Information -

Dallas's Brownfields program

EPA's Brownfields program and grant recipients

EPA Region 6 Recognizes Baton Rouge Brownfields Program

Region 6 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a check ceremony to recognize the Baton Rouge Brownfields Program, administered by the City-Parish Planning Commission, and two local non-profit organizations for grants awarded to facilitate the redevelopment of underutilized environmentally impacted properties. The ceremony was held Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at 1:30 at the location of the future Pelican Nest Learning and Resource Center on Nicholson Drive between Grant Street and Garfield Street.

The City-Parish received $400,000 to assess brownfields sites throughout the Parish. In addition to brownfields assessment funding, two (2) non-profit owned sites in Baton Rouge were awarded brownfields cleanup funding. Hope Community Development Corporation received $35,000 to cleanup a site at North Street and North 46'h Street. Pelican Nest Learning and Resource Center was awarded $40,000 in funding to cleanup its site on Nicholson Drive. Working with local community groups, the Baton Rouge Brownfields Program has successfully acquired funding for community revitalization through brownfields cleanup and redevelopment.

Among nationwide competition, Louisiana received a total of four (4) brownfields grants, three (3) of which were awarded to Baton Rouge.

1n 2000, Baton Rouge was awarded an EPA Brownfields Pilot Grant in the amount of $200,000. Since this initial award, the Baton Rouge Brownfields Program has established a brownfields inventory that includes over 110 sites and has funded assessments for 27 properties in East Baton Rouge Parish. The program has leveraged approximately $4.7 million dollars for construction and redevelopment.

As defined by EPA, a brownfield is property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. The Baton Rouge Brownfields Program works to eliminate concerns associated with the purchase and redevelopment of these potentially contaminated sites. An estimated 400 brownfields sites exist in East Baton Rouge Parish.

The Baton Rouge Brownfields Program is a component of the City-Parish comprehensive plan, the Horizon Plan.

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