News Releases from Region 05

EPA Announces $200,000 to Clean up Contaminated Site in Saint Paul

For Immediate Release   No. 16-OPA023

EPA Announces $200,000 to Clean up Contaminated Site in Saint Paul

CHICAGO – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced $200,000 in supplemental funding to help transform a lead-contaminated former streetcar facility in Saint Paul, Minn., into a sports complex.

"EPA’s Brownfield program will help the Saint Paul Port Authority revitalize a distressed property, improve public health, create jobs and boost local economic opportunities," said Region 5 Acting Superfund Director Douglas Ballotti. “EPA’s funds often make the difference that helps leverage private sector resources to make cleanups and reuse of properties possible.”

This is the first step toward cleanup of a lead- and petroleum-contaminated 9.9-acre former streetcar and maintenance facility set to become a soccer stadium complex for Minnesota United FC.  EPA’s cleanup is slated to begin later this year.

EPA stimulates the economies of distressed communities with loans and sub-grants ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 to be used for cleanup and redevelopment at brownfield sites.

There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated sites in the United States. Since the inception of EPA’s Brownfields program in 1995, cumulative investments have leveraged nearly $21 billion from a variety of public and private sources for cleanup and redevelopment activities.

More information on EPA’s Brownfields program: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields

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