5 o T> Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet Jersey City, NJ 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 City of Jersey City was selected to receive a brownfields assessment grant. Located in northeastern New Jersey across the Hudson River from New York City, Jersey City (population of 239,097), a federally designated Empowerment Zone, has a long history of industrial and commercial activity that began in the 1830s. Technological advances and economic changes led to the closure of many of the chemical companies and manufacturers in the city, leaving behind aban- doned and underutilized properties. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of the city's 212,670 acres are brownfields. Of the city's total population, 66 percent of the residents are minorities, and almost 19 percent live in poverty. Assessments will be directed at proper- ties contained within the Morris Canal Redevelopment Area, also known as Bishop Street-Berry Lane. Assessment Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Jersey City for a brownfields assessment grant. Hazardous sub- stances grant funds will be used for conducting community outreach, preparing a brownfields inventory, performing site investigations, and preparing cleanup plans. 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 2 Brownfields Team 212-637-4314 http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/ brownfields/ Grant Recipient: City of Jersey City, NJ 201-547-5758 The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. Brownfields revitalization will allow the city to proceed with a community recreational park, a police and fire communications center, housing, commercial develop- ment, and greenspace. Brownfields redevelopment will increase investment, create jobs, and expand the tax base. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-06-035 May 2006 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |