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EPA’s $200,000 Brownfield Grant Supports Philadelphia’s Greenway and Redevelopment Plans in Frankford, Port Richmond

Release Date: 10/29/2013
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, smith.bonnie@epa.gov, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA (October 29, 2013) – Today, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, State Senator Michael Stack, State Representative John Taylor, City Councilman Bobby Henon and Philadelphia Park & Recreation Commissioner Michael DeBerardinis at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Port Richmond Trail, a riverfront greenway, in Pulaski Park at Delaware and Allegheny Avenues.

Garvin announced a $200,000 brownfield area-wide planning grant to the City of Philadelphia to advance revitalization in Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Frankford and Juniata Park neighborhoods. EPA’s grant will support many city and community efforts already underway including the Port Richmond Trail and the overall plan for the North Delaware Greenway.

“Revitalization of the areas surrounding former industrial sites is just as critical to the successful reuse of the property as the environmental clean-up,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “EPA is proud that its brownfields funding is part of many investments supporting the greenway on the Delaware River and plans for other opportunities to benefit residents in these formerly industrial neighborhoods.”

The city’s Planning Commission will use the EPA grant for community greening and economic redevelopment around the former Philadelphia Coke Works, Rohm and Hass, and Edgewater Dyeing and Finishing sites. Community members will have the opportunity to participate in creating plans to improve walkability, air quality and economic vitality in these four neighborhoods.

This planning effort will coordinate with many efforts already underway including those of the Delaware River City Corporation, the city funded non-profit which is building and maintaining the North Delaware Greenway. A map of the four neighborhoods and the greenway plan is attached.

In addition to the area-wide planning grant, EPA has previously awarded 12 brownfields grants to the City of Philadelphia for brownfields assessment and clean-up totaling $4.5 million beginning in 1995.

There are an estimated 450,000 brownfield sites in the United States. As of June, 2013 EPA’s brownfield program funds have been used to clean up 872 contaminated sites and to assess 20,449 properties, primarily in low-income areas disproportionately impacted by environmental contamination. This has made ready 39,906 acres for reuse.

See list of all EPA brownfields grants by state: https://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/
More information on EPA’s brownfields program: www.epa.gov/brownfields/
More information on brownfields success stories: www.epa.gov/brownfields/success/index.htm