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Texas Cities to Receive $697,600 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, Laredo, Pearsall and Rosebud have been selected to receive Brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced today.

"EPA's Brownfields program can be an important part of the cure for ailing inner city properties," Greene said. "Brownfields grants help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use."

The city of Dallas 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 of Laredo will receive $100,000 to clean hazardous substances at the 18-acre Killam Lake property, which became contaminated after years of illegal dumping and unregulated landfill activities. Using this property, the city plans to continue development of a network of nature trails and park space in the Chacon Creek watershed.

The city of Pearsall will receive $197,600 for community-wide assessment of petroleum sites. The city plans to conduct a community health assessment in addition to environmental site assessments.

The city of Rosebud will receive $200,000 to clean hazardous substances at the former Halbert Hospital, an abandoned, vacant property contaminated with asbestos and lead. The city plans to build affordable housing on the site.

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 EPA's Brownfields program and the grant recipients is available at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/.