Brownfields 2011 Cleanup Grant Fact Sheet
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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/R5Brownfiel ds)
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 2011
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