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EPA Gives Delaware County 200K to Redevelop Brownfields

Release Date: 6/21/1999
Contact Information: Delaware County Redevelopment Authority,610-566-2225 & Regional Brownfields Team 215-814-3246

PHILADELPHIA -- Delaware County is one of 57 recipients nationwide, each to receive a $200,000 grant today from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up and redevelop brownfields -- abandoned, industrial properties where redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination.

"Brownfields grants empower those groups interested in economic redevelopment to bring life and economic vitality back to a community. The long-term benefits will include new jobs, an increased tax base, and a better partnership between public and private sectors. Reuse of brownfields also preserves open space, or greenfields," said EPA Regional Administrator W. Michael McCabe.

Delaware County was chosen as a recipient because its riverfront is poised for economic redevelopment because of the existing infrastructure and workforce. There are also several incentive programs already in place to revitalize the distressed communities.

The area is bounded by the Pennsylvania/Delaware state line to the south, the Delaware River to the east, Interstate 95 to the west and the City of Philadelphia to the north. It includes the City of Chester; the townships of Chester, Lower Chichester and Tinicum; and Eddystone, Marcus Hook and Trainer boroughs. The combined population is 62,618.

The riverfront, located on major land and water transportation routes, experienced steady economic growth in its shipbuilding, manufacturing and textile industries through the 1950s. The area then began an economic decline, as factories were abandoned and residents began to leave in search of better job opportunities elsewhere.

Brownsfields redevelopment is a key component of returning economic vitality and opportunity to these distressed communities. The county’s pilot efforts will be coordinated with the area’s comprehensive plan and economic development strategy. A cornerstone of the effort is the active inclusion of all interested groups and individuals throughout the assessment, cleanup and redevelopment process. Planned activities include:

* Reviewing all inventoried brownfields sites, determining ownership and characterizing suspected contamination, if known;

* Selecting up to three sites to be assessed;

* Developing community-based cleanup plans:

* Identifying and removing barriers to redevelopment; and

* Working with community stakeholders to share information on the selection, assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of the three targeted sites.

Congress has recognized the relationship between protecting greenfields and redeveloping brownfields. Legislation will soon be introduced to offer "Better America Bonds," making it easier for state and local governments to offset the cost of purchasing open land in order to preserve it. They could issue nearly $10 billion in bonds, pay no interest and take up to 15 years to pay back the principal. Investors who buy the bonds receive tax credits from the federal government equal to the amount of interest.

"Sometimes, the best way for a community to ensure that it retains a certain amount of open space is to purchase that space, outright. Better America bonds will help make that possible for communities on tight budgets," said McCabe.

The EPA also awarded brownfields grants to several other local communities today, including Mifflin, Montgomery, and Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties. Call the above contact for more information on these and other brownfields grants.