The EPA recently awarded over $2 million to four entities in Region 6 in the latest round of brownfields grants.

The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) in New Orleans received two brownfields assessment grants totaling $400,000. Of that amount, $200,000 will be used for assessments at sites contaminated with hazardous substances, and $200,000 will be used specifically for assessments at sites with potential petroleum contamination. The RPC plans to perform 4 Phase I environmental site assessments and 2 Phase II environmental site assessments at sites with potential hazardous contamination.

Oklahoma City is slated to receive a $350,000 that will be used to perform 45 Phase I environmental site assessments and a comprehensive Phase II environmental site assessment at the Core to Shore Park site. The Core to Shore Park project is a plan to increase connectivity within the urban core of downtown Oklahoma City to the shore of the Oklahoma River.

The city of Irving, Texas, will also receive $400,000 in 2 grants. Irving has focused its brownfields redevelopment efforts within the targeted community that is encompassed by downtown Irving Heritage Crossing and the adjacent Irving Boulevard (Highway 356). The latest grants will be used to improve public mobility and access.

Also in Texas, Texarkana will receive a $900,000 revolving loan fund grant to establish a sustainable source of cleanup funds focused on Texarkana’s Targeted Brownfields Area. This area consists of 200 acres and 200 properties in the Historical Downtown and 7th Street Corridor that are contaminated or potentially contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum. It is intended that brownfields redevelopment in Texarkana will expand economic opportunity and address vacancy and decaying facilities that have caused an “out migration” of businesses and homeowners from the area.

INFO: Contact EPA’s Dave Bary at 214-665-2200.