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Brownfields 2007
Grant Fact Sheet
Salem, MA
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 Salem was selected to receive two
brownfields cleanup grants. Settled in 1626, Salem
(population 40,407) is one of the oldest communities in
the country. Although known for its maritime back-
ground, Salem also has a rich manufacturing and
industrial history. Today, brownfields line the city's
entrance corridors and clutter the downtown area. The
two target cleanup sites are in the Point Neighborhood,
the most densely populated and lowest income area in
the city. More than 88 percent of the population in the
Point Neighborhood has a low-to-moderate income,
with 26.4 percent living below the poverty level. The
city plans to redevelop the Peabody Street property
into a waterfront park that will allow pedestrian access
to the future South River Harborwalk and provide
much-needed greenspace. Cleanup of 61 Ward Street
Cleanup Grants
$325,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the City of Salem for two
brownfields cleanup grants. Grant funds will be
used to clean up soil contaminated with petroleum
hydrocarbons at 15 Peabody Street, a property
used by power plants from 1890 to 1965. Grant
funds also will be used to clean up petroleum-
based contamination at 61 Ward Street, a vacant
site that was home to several automotive service
stations from 1937 to 1983. Cleanup at both sites
will involve excavation and disposal of contami-
nated soil. Funds from both grants will be used to
support 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 1 Brownfields Team
617-918-1424
http://www.epa.gov/region01/brownfields/
Grant Recipient: City of Salem, MA
978-619-5685
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.
will enable the city to reconfigure a dangerous inter-
section in the neighborhood, making it more pedestrian
friendly. The site will be redeveloped as a new gate-
way to this historic neighborhood, incorporating a
pocket park, sidewalks, and signage reflecting the
heritage of the area.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-07-149
May 2007
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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