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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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