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Brownfields 2008
Grant Fact Sheet
Coving ton, KY
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 Covington was selected to receive two
brownfields assessment grants and a brownfields
cleanup grant. Covington (population 43,370) is located
along the Ohio River, which separates it from Cincin-
nati, Ohio. Major manufacturing began in the early
1800s along the city's riverfront and included a cotton
factory, rolling mill, and nail factory. Since the 1950s,
the city has struggled to compete with the explosive
growth of suburban northern Kentucky. Its population
declined from a peak of 64,275 residents, and many
businesses closed or relocated. More than 18 percent
of city residents live below the poverty level. The city
has identified two areas for brownfields assessment in
its strategic plan: the River District Revitalization Area
and the Covington Downtown Commercial and Arts
District Area. Assessment of sites is expected to lead
Assessment Grants
$200,000 for hazardous substances
$200,000 for petroleum
EPA has selected the City of Covington for two
brownfields assessment grants. Hazardous sub-
stances grant funds will be used to inventory and
prioritize sites, perform about six to eight Phase I
and one to three Phase II environmental site
assessments, and conduct community involvement
activities. Petroleum grant funds will be used to
perform the same tasks at sites with potential
petroleum contamination.
Cleanup Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Covington for a
brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances
grant funds will be used to clean up the former
Donaldson Art Sign Company at 2125 Donaldson
Avenue. This site has been home to a carnival
park, a soap factory, and oil companies. Contami-
nants of concern include volatile and semi-volatile
organic compounds and metals. Grant funds will be
used to complete cleanup plans, dispose of about
400 tons of impacted soil, monitor groundwater
wells, and conduct 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 4 Brownfields Team
404-562-8792
http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/bf
Grant Recipient: City of Covington, KY
859-292-2168
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA 560-F-08-074
April 2008
www.epa.gov/brownfields
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to redevelopment plans that will promote further
revitalization of the target areas. Cleanup of the former
Donaldson Art Sign Company site will reduce environ-
mental and health threats in the area that discourage
investment. It also is expected to contribute to the
city's efforts to create jobs and increase the local tax
base.
The information presented in this fact sheet comes
from the grant proposal; EPA cannot attest to the
accuracy of this information. The cooperative agree-
ment for the grant has not yet been negotiated. There-
fore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject
to change.
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