5 o T> Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet Lincoln, NE 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 this 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. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism. Community Description The City of Lincoln was selected to receive three brownfields cleanup grants. Located in eastern Ne- braska, Lincoln (population 235,000) is focusing its brownfields cleanup efforts in the West Haymarket Area of the city. This 402-acre district consists of heavy industrial, commercial, and mixed residential areas that are considered blighted and largely obsolete. It also has larger minority and low-income populations than the rest of the city. The targeted sites are among the 60 brownfields identified through the assessment process. Cleanup of the former BNSF Railway Roundhouse Area, the Alter Scrap Company property, and the former Manufactured Gas Plant is expected to be one step in the city's plan to redevelop the West Haymarket Area into a commercial and recreational development that will expand the city center. Potential Cleanup Grants $600,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Lincoln for three brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the former BNSF Railway Roundhouse Area within the BNSF Railway Company Lincoln Main Yard and the Alter Scrap Company property at 551 N Street. The sites were used for more than 100 years as rail yards. Soil and groundwater at the sites are contaminated with heavy metals and other hazard- ous substances. Grant funds also will be used to clean up the former Manufactured Gas Plant site at 660 N Street. Environmental concerns at the site include heavy metals, semi-volatile organic com- pounds, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Grant funds also will be used to support community 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 7 Brownfields Team 800-223-0425 http://www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/brownfields Grant Recipient: City of Lincoln, NE 402-441-7855 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. redevelopment projects at sites cleaned up in the West Haymarket Area include a convention center, hotels, and youth sports facilities. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA560-F-08-175 April 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |