5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, CT EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders 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 Norwalk Redevelopment Agency was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. The City of Norwalk (82,951) is located in the center of Connecticut's Fairfield County, 45 minutes from New York City. It benefits from the rich heritage of a New England waterfront with exceptional geographic and economic advantages. Despite the vibrancy, most of the adjacent neighborhoods in the urban core in South Norwalk still experience high levels of unemployment, poverty, and crime, and are home to the largest number of brownfields. Within this area, 15 percent of resi- Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency for two brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to perform up to seven Phase I and up to five Phase II environmental site assessments in the city's urban core, known as South Norwalk. Petroleum grant funds will be used to perform up to seven Phase I and up to six Phase II environmental site assessments in the same area. Grant funds also will be used for site inventory and prioritization, integration of information into a geographic information system, reuse planning, and commu- nity outreach 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 1 Brownfields Team 617-918-1424 http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/ Grant Recipient: Norwalk Redevelopment Agency, CT 203-854-7810, ext. 6786 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. dents live below the poverty level, and half the residents are minorities. Throughout the 19th and early 20th Centuries, the South Norwalk area was the home of a significant number of hat factories. These factories were notorious for their use of mercury and other heavy metals. Consequently, the city's industrial past has saddled South Norwalk with extensive environmental Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-06-004 May 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- concerns impeding economic development and nega- tively impacting public health. The revitalized brownfields will serve as a catalyst for private invest- ment and real estate development, including mixed-use development, retail space, and an expanded transporta- tion hub. Brownfields redevelopment will clean up pollution, promote economic benefits, create jobs, promote a vibrant community, reduce blight, and prevent future brownfields. ------- |