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Dallas to Receive $200,000 from EPA

Release Date: 05/12/2006
Contact Information: Cynthia Fanning at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas - May 12, 2006) Dallas has been selected to receive a Brownfields redevelopment grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced today.

"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 today. More information about Dallas's Brownfields program is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/brownfields_2006.htm. More information about EPA's Brownfields program and the grant recipients is available at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/.