Brownfields 2009 Assessment and Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet Toledo, OH REC(M(H.GBV EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states. communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield 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. In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was passed. On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Recovery Act is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, and create or save millions of jobs. This law provided stimulus funds to the Brownfields Program to award grants to evaluate and clean up former industrial and commercial sites. Under both laws in Fiscal Year 2009, EPA will provide financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Community Description The City of Toledo was selected to receive two brownfields assessment grants and a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in northwest Ohio, Toledo (population 295,029) has a rich industrial history dating to the turn of the 19th century. The city flourished as a port and manufacturing community until economic conditions changed. The decline in industry has left a legacy of about 250 brownfield sites. Many of the oldest sites are surrounded by densely populated residential neighborhoods. Populations in neighborhoods most impacted by brownfields declined by almost 38 percent between 1970 and 2000. The severe population loss has devastated local commercial corridors. The poverty rate in these neighborhoods is 26 percent and the unemployment rate is 10.2 percent. The assessment of brownfields in underserved neighborhoods along the Maumee River is expected to help the city move forward with plans for revitalizing these neighborhoods. When the former ACME Plant is cleaned up, the city plans to redevelop the building into Assessment Grants $200,000 for hazardous substances (Recovery Act Funding) $200,000 for petroleum (Recovery Act Funding) EPA has selected the City of Toledo for two brownfields assessment grants. With the assistance of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct 13 to 20 Phase I and 5 to 8 Phase II environmental site assessments for hazardous substances and petroleum contamination. Grant funds also will be used to develop a health monitoring program, prepare cleanup plans, and support community outreach activities. Cleanup Grant $200,000 for hazardous substances EPA has selected the City of Toledo for a brownfields cleanup grant. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to clean up the 3.5-acre former ACME Plant at the Marina District located at 1401 Front Street. A steel mill and later a power plant operated on the target site from 1888 to 1994. Elevated concentrations of metals have been documented in soil and groundwater. 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 (http://www.epa.gov/brownfields). EPA Region 5 Brownfields Team (312)886-7576 EPA Region 5 Brownfields Web site (http://www.epa.gov/R5Brownfields) Grant Recipient: City of Toledo,OH (419) 936-3944 United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20450 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-09-209 May 09 ------- a mixed-use residential and commercial structure. Redevelopment of this site is key to the city's plans for revitalization of the Maumee Riverfront, which will provide public access to the waterfront, increase greenspace, and bring economic opportunity to low-income neighborhoods. 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 negotiated. Therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. United States Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20450 Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 560-F-09-209 May 09 ------- |