5 o T> Brownfields 2008 Grant Fact Sheet Woonsocket, Rl 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 Woonsocket was selected to receive three brownfields cleanup grants. Woonsocket (population 43,224) is an American Heritage River community with an industrial past that is characterized by its numerous underutilized and abandoned mill complexes. There are over 320 brownfields, amounting to over 440 acres of land, throughout the city. Brownfields tend to be concentrated along the Blackstone River and within the city's densely populated urban core. About 20 percent of Woonsocket residents live at or below the poverty level. The cleanup sites are located in a neighborhood characterized by high numbers of unemployed, minor- ity, and elderly residents. Cleanup of the sites is part of a plan underway to redevelop the area into a new educational campus. Once the sites are cleaned up, the city plans to construct two new, state-of-the-art middle Cleanup Grants $600,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Woonsocket for three brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the former FDS Industries site at 138 Hamlet Avenue, the former ACS Industries site at 71 Villa Nova Street, and the former Florence Dye Works site at 168 Florence Drive. Since the early 20th Century, these sites were used for the processing, dyeing, and storage of textiles. In addition to the various acids, solvents, and other hazardous materials related to textile manufacturing, there is evidence of contami- nation related to fill materials, such as coal and ash, on the sites. Grant funds will be used to remove and treat contaminated materials, install caps on the sites, and conduct ongoing monitoring 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/regionl/brownfields Grant Recipient: City of Woonsocket, RI 401-767-1418 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. schools to replace its existing one. This redevelopment project is expected to improve the city's public school system, attract private investment to the community, and increase surrounding property values. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-08-038 April 2008 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |