Environmental Progress - Spring 2002

Environmental Progress : Spring 2002

14 Communities Win Brownfields Grants

Announced at April Brownfields Conference

Director Cipriano with Richard Swasneski, executive director, left, and Walter Strawn, board chairman, in front of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority's display.

Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano recognized 14 Illinois communities as recipients of Brownfields Redevelopment Grants at this year's Brownfields Conference held in April at Starved Rock State Park lodge. The Illinois EPA, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs and the Illinois Municipal League sponsored this year's event.

The grants are awarded to Illinois municipalities for environmental assessments of abandoned or underutilized properties in preparation for brownfields cleanup and redevelopment. This year's recipients and the grant amounts are:

Arthur $30,953

The grant will be used to perform an environmental assessment of a former gas station property, to be used as a much-needed new residential subdivision.

Belleville $44,116

Belleville will assess abandoned properties along the West Main Street Corridor, to prepare an overall economic redevelopment strategy for this corridor.

Chicago Heights $120,000

Grant dollars will be used to conduct investigations within an established Enterprise Zone prioritized for redevelopment. Chicago Heights is one of five communities that comprise the South Suburban Chicago Brownfields Coalition.

Crete $56,314

The site is a former wastewater treatment facility and is suspected of having both petroleum and hazardous waste contamination.

Franklin Park $65,503

Franklin Park will use grant funds to conduct environmental assessments on a two-block area of downtown Franklin Park.

Lynwood $26,096

Lynwood will use grant funds to conduct Phase I and Phase II investigations on a former service station.

Monticello $118,176

Monticello will use grant funds to conduct site assessment work on four properties near the city's historical downtown.

Mt. Carmel $15,713

Mt. Carmel is partnering with Federal Assembly to redevelop a former diesel repair facility that sits on two acres along the main thoroughfare into town. The grant will be used for investigation to determine potential contamination issues.

Plano $90,014

Plano will use grant dollars to conduct Phase I and Phase II investigation activities at the former Monarch Foundry site, key component in the city's plan to renovate the Route 34 corridor.

Quincy $21,238

The grant will be used to perform Phase One and Two assessments and to develop a remedial action plan at a former construction company site with suspected petroleum contamination.

South Chicago Heights $120,000

The village will use the grant to conduct Phase I and Phase II investigations at three abandoned or under-utilized properties. South Chicago Heights is one of five communities, in the South Suburban Chicago Brownfields Coalition.

Sterling $120,000

The grant will fund Phase I and Phase II assessments and other activities within the 700 acre closed Northwestern Steel and Wire facility.

Streator -$120,000

Streator will use the grant to conduct site assessment work on properties for Public Works Department complex and two properties for additional parking for City Hall and an adjacent public library.

Summit -$49,373

The grant will be used to conduct site investigations and develop a remedial action plan at a former gasoline/automotive service station. The site will be redeveloped into a commercial facility.

The conference offered attendees training to accomplish brownfields-related goals for their communities and information on other funding opportunities for which their communities may be eligible.