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Brownfields 2005
Grant Fact Sheet
Des Moines, 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 Des Moines was selected to receive a
brownfields assessment grant. Des Moines (population
198,682) is targeting areas such as the Capitol East and
Fairground neighborhoods in East Des Moines, which
have suffered many years of disinvestment. Both
communities have a lower average per capita income,
and a higher percentage of families living below the
poverty level than the city as a whole. In addition, the
neighborhoods have minority populations that range
from 14 to 39 percent. There are an estimated 350
abandoned gas stations throughout the city.
Brownfields assessment initially will concentrate on the
abandoned gas stations in the Capital East and Fair-
ground neighborhoods. In the Capitol East neighbor-
Assessment Grant
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the City of Des Moines for a
brownfields assessment grant. Grant funds will be
used to perform site assessments and plan
cleanup operations in the Capitol East, Fairground,
and possibly other neighborhoods. Funds also will
be used to conduct community involvement
activities.
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 Des Moines, IA
515-237-1351
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
hood, the city plans to redevelop the area into a cultural
Hispanic/Latino destination-point. In the Fairground
neighborhood, the city is working with private entities
to develop a hotel and restaurant near the State
Fairgrounds. Redevelopment will generate a higher tax
base, increase jobs, and remove environmental and
public health threats in these communities.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-05-066
May 2005
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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