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EPA Selects Three More Upstate New York Communities for Brownfields Redevelopment Awards of $200,000 Each; North Hempstead on Long Island Also Named

Release Date: 05/18/2000
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(#00104) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Jeanne M. Fox announced today that Syracuse, Troy and Glens Falls have each been selected to receive $200,000 Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative awards to advance the redevelopment of brownfields through the assessment of sites with the best potential for reuse. These municipalities can also use the new funds to develop public outreach for community involvement in the brownfields process.  North Hempstead in Nassau County, Long Island was also selected for the award, raising the total number of EPA Brownfields communities in New York State to 21. EPA supports communities across the country through its Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative -a national effort to renew industrial and commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.   "EPA is continuing to focus on brownfields redevelopment in New York because these efforts provide a variety of benefits that improve the environment and local economies," said Regional Administrator Fox.  "For previous brownfields grant recipients, the common denominator for success in this economic redevelopment initiative has been strong partnerships with all levels of government, the community and the private sector," Ms. Fox added. "We welcome our new brownfields community partners." Syracuse will use the funds to help develop a holistic approach for cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields. The city will inventory potential brownfields, create a database, and then involve community groups in the selection of up to five sites from the inventory for environmental assessments and characterizations.  Troy plans to improve the residential quality of life and contribute to the economic  vitality of South Troy with the funds. The grant provides the resources to perform site assessments, conduct community outreach and develop tools to facilitate the cleanup and redevelopment of properties. Glens Falls plans to conduct an area-wide environmental assessment of priority brownfields sites in the Warren Street Corridor. Through these efforts, as well as the development of cleanup and end-use plans, the funds will be used to spur the redevelopment of the targeted, priority sites as well as other brownfields  properties within the corridor. The cityÆs Master Plan has identified the Warren Street Corridor as a   primary area for economic development. Brownfields assessments, cleanup and redevelopment will attract new businesses, create jobs and expand the tax base. North Hempstead on Long Island plans to prioritize and conduct environmental assessments at up to eight brownfields sites in the Hamlet of New Cassel. Through this grant, New Cassel will establish its own brownfields program with the objectives of assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields into environmentally-friendly and sustainable businesses, creating new jobs, and increasing recreational and affordable housing opportunities for residents. The community will establish working groups to guide pilot  activities. The town will hold community meetings to keep local residents and businesses informed. Since 1995, EPA has funded more than 360 brownfields pilots projects nationwide, allowing communities to begin the process of redevelopment. In addition to the four municipalities named as new brownfields communities today, there are 17 cities or counties in New York State participating in EPA’s brownfields initiative, including: Glen Cove, Albany, Buffalo, Ogdenburg, Yonkers, New York City, Niagara Falls, Rome, Rochester, Schenectady, Elmira, Johnstown, Watertown, Utica and Niagara and Ulster counties; and the Seneca Nation.