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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 to help
states and communities around the country cleanup and
revitalize brownfields sites. 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 Blue Island was selected to receive three
brownfields cleanup grants. Located in Cook County,
Blue Island (population 23,463) is part of the Chicago
metropolitan area. The city will clean up three parcels
in the Northeast Mixed-Use Commercial Park, which
was used as a source of clay for brick making from
1897 to 1952. Between 1952 and 1966, the 87-acre
park operated as an open dump, allowing for the
disposal of hazardous waste. The former landfill poses
a threat to those working in the area, and runoff from
the site poses hazards to nearby residents. Actual and
perceived environmental conditions at the park have
deterred redevelopment, contributing to the negative
image of the city as a declining industrial community.
For nearly 20 years, the majority of the commercial
park was left vacant or underused, bringing in minimal
property tax revenues. Cleanup of the parcels in the
Northeast Mixed-Use Commercial Park will reduce the
threat of exposure to contaminants and contribute to
sustainable redevelopment of the site with retail space
and an eco-industrial park. Sustainable development
standards include requirements for native landscaping,
innovative stormwater management techniques, and
green building standards.
Cleanup Grants
$600,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the City of Blue Island for three
brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances
grant funds will be used to clean up three parcels in
the Northeast Mixed-Use Commercial Park. At
Parcel A at 11920 Wood Street, investigations have
revealed volatile organic compounds, PCBs, and
heavy metals in area soils. Grant funds also will be
used to clean up Parcel B at 11950 Division Street.
Investigations have revealed volatile organic
compounds, PCBs, and heavy metals in area soils.
Grant funds also will be used to clean up Parcel H at
2010 West 122nd Street. Investigations have
revealed volatile organic compounds, PCBs, and
heavy metals in area soils. Grant funds also will be
used for community outreach activities at all three
sites.
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 Blue Island,IL
(708) 396-7138
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)
E PA 560-F-128-065
May 11
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