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Brownfields 2005
Grant Fact Sheet
Cedar Rapids, I A
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up,
and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield site is
real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse
of which may be complicated by the presence or
potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant,
or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George
W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability
Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the
Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to
eligible applicants through four competitive grant
programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund
grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Addi-
tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal
response programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The City of Cedar Rapids was selected to receive a
brownfields assessment grant. The target community is
the New Bohemia Creative District (NBCD), in the
Oak Hill/Jackson neighborhood of Cedar Rapids
(population 120,758). The NBCD is located in an area
characterized by a high concentration of old abandoned
industrial buildings; low or moderate income families;
and aging infrastructure. The target area has a popula-
tion that is 31 percent minority, a family poverty rate of
24 percent, and a 14 percent unemployment rate.
Drawn by the affordable housing and studio space, a
large number of artists and families recently have
relocated to the target area, creating an opportunity for
reuse of old warehouses and commercial buildings. In
Assessment Grant (2005'f
*T t
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Cedar Rapids for a
brownfields assessment grant. Grant funds will be
used to select and survey sites, perform site
assessments, and plan cleanup operations for up
to four properties in the New Bohemia Creative
District.
Contacts
For further information, including specific grant
contacts, additional grant information, brownfields
news and events, and publications and links, visit
the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/
brownfields.
EPA Region 7 Brownfields Team
913-551-7646
http://www.epa.gov/Region7/citizens/brownfields/
index.htm
Grant Recipient: City of Cedar Rapids, IA
319-286-5046
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
the past few years, the city has fostered revitalization
in the NBCD area, and several new residential build-
ings have been developed from former warehouses.
However, environmental hazards pose threats to new
residents and the artists community. Assessment and
cleanup of these sites is essential to continue revitaliza-
tion of the NBCD area; increase jobs, income, and
property values; and protect the health of its residents.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-05-065
May 2005
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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