SB, HI C3 Brownfields 2003 Grant Fact Sheet Columbia, MO EPA Brownfields Program EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu- nities, and other stakeholders in economic development 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 Columbia was selected to receive a cleanup grant. The city has targeted an urban tract in its central business district, which has a population of 84,500. A large minority, low-income population lives in the neighborhoods north of the site. As with the Phase I cleanup of the Flat Branch Creek park development, which was completed in January 2002, the Phase II cleanup will remove petroleum contamination and debris, opening the way to creating a park, greenspace, and trails designed to help reclaim the natural qualities of the creek and spur economic growth in the down- town business sector. It also is expected to draw attention to several other brownfield sites that are having a negative impact on the city's economy. Grassroots organizations became involved in planning Cleanup Grant £003 $200,000 for petroleum EPA has selected the City of Columbia for a cleanup grant. The cleanup grant will target the Flat Branch Park-Phase II site at 404 Locust Street, which is adjacent to the MKT railway. At least 27 gas or oil storage tanks were con- structed and used on the site by five different oil companies between 1908 and 1968. 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 7 Brownfields Team 913-551-7786 http://www.epa.gov/region07/brownfields/ Grant Recipient: City of Columbia, MO 573-874-7203 Prior to receipt of these funds in fiscal year 2003, the City of Columbia has not received brownfields grant funding. The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change. for the reuse of the target area in the 1980s, and the city plans to continue working with these organizations in the ongoing revitalization of the city. Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5105T) EPA 500-F-03-073 June 2003 www.epa.gov/brownfields ------- |