5 o T> Brownfields 2007 Grant Fact Sheet Homestead, FL 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 Homestead was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants. Located in Miami-Bade County, Homestead (population 44,494) experienced a population boom between 2000 and 2005 that has increased the need for developable land. Homestead is focusing its assessment activities in its Brownfield Redevelopment Zone (BRZ), which contains a federally designated Empowerment Zone. This area includes inactive railroad tracks, automotive wrecking yards, quarries, and former drycleaning facilities. Many of the buildings are deteriorated and vacant. The BRZ's largest neighborhood has a 90 percent minority popula- tion and a very low median household income. Redevel- opment of properties within the BRZ will decrease health hazards while increasing area jobs, affordable housing, and parks and open spaces. Assessment Grants $100,000 for hazardous substances $100,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Homestead for two assessment grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to inventory and prioritize sites and conduct between eight and ten Phase I and two and three Phase II environmental site assessments in the Homestead Brownfield Redevelopment Zone. Petroleum grant funds will be used to perform the same tasks at sites with potential petroleum contamination in the Home- stead Brownfield Redevelopment Zone. Funds from both grants will be used to conduct 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 4 Brownfields Team 404-562-8792 http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/bf/index.htm Grant Recipient: City of Homestead, FL 305-224-4481 The information presented in this fact sheet comes from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. The cooperative agreement for the grant has not yet been negoti- ated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-07-076 May 2007 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |