US. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 5
ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, OHIO, WISCONSIN AND 35 TRIBES
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TARGETED BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT
CALUMET REGION AREA WIDE PLANNING PROJECT
LAKE MICHIGAN
RIVERDALE
Chicago, Illinois	September 2017
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Targeted Brownfields Assessment, or TBA, Program assisted
the Chicago Park District, or CPD, in developing a comprehensive strategy for a connected network of ecological and
recreational resources in southeast Chicago
for the CPD, The plan supports community
health, ecological importance and economic
development in the region through the
creation of strategies for brownfield reuse
and access improvements. It provides the
critical information needed to transform the
brownfields located in Southeast Chicago into
world-class public parks and recreational areas.
The project involved nine sites in Southeast
Chicago, including seven CPD-owned or
leased properties and two private properties.
The seven CPD-owned properties are Park
562 (Van Vlissingen Prairie / Marian R. Byrnes
Natural Area), Park 564 (Big Marsh), Park 566
(USX), Steelworkers Park, Park 565 (Indian
Ridge Marsh), Hegewisch Marsh, and Park
576 (Whitford Pond / O'Brien Lock) (See
map). The two private properties are the Lake
Calumet Site and Mittal Woods. These sites
have undergone varied levels of assessment,
remediation and development over the past 20
years.
CHATHAM
AVALON
BURNSIDE
CALUMET
HEIGHTS
PUttMAN
TOS ELAND
WEST
PU1XMAN
Fiqure 1. Southeast Chicago Area Wide Plan Natural Area Sites
Southeast Chicago Area Wide Plan Natural Area Sites.
What is a Targeted Brownfields Assessment?
U.S. EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment, or
TBA, program provides technical assistance to
states, communities and non-profit organizations,
to minimize the uncertainties of contamination
on brownfield sites. U.S. EPA, at no charge to
the community, will characterize a brownfield to
determine the nature and extent of contamination.
The assessment will be conducted by environmental
consultants currently under contract with U.S. EPA.
Results are provided to the community to assist them
in. redevelopment planning. The site must be known
to be contaminated or suspected to be contaminated
with hazardous substances or petroleum product.
DETAILS OF U.S. EPA'S SITE ACTIVITIES
U.S. EPA reviewed environmental reports and assessed
the existing conditions of each of the targeted sites.
The Agency reviewed land use; transportation and
utility infrastructure; and environmental, public
health and market conditions for the sites. U.S. EPA
also assembled an executive committee, working
groups and hosted community workshops to obtain
input on the potential redevelopment scenarios. The
resulting information was compiled into a preferred
comprehensive strategy for area transportation and
land use.

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REPORT/INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In May 2017, a report summarizing the existing social,
economic and environmental conditions at the sites as
well as recommended redevelopment plans considered
most suitable for each of the sites. This report, called
the Southeast Chicago Area-Wide Plan, was submitted
to the project stakeholders. The findings of the report
indicated that the sites are well-suited to be redeveloped
for recreational purposes, which will provide significant
positive impacts to the Southeast Chicago area.
REUSE/REVITALIZATION DETAILS
The planned reuse of the various properties inclu des:
areas for community events such as passive recreation,
education and restoration; preserved marshland for
bird habitat; and development of areas for active eco-
recreation activities including a "state-of-the-art" climbing
wall, a sledding hill, a bike park and hiking trails. Big
Marsh is also planned as the site for the forthcoming Ford
Calumet Environmental Center - which will support
the areas ability to function as a regional gateway for
visitors to Chicago's southeast side. In addition, industrial,
entertainment and residential development opportunities
exist at the USX property.
Brad Stimple
TBA Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5 Brownfields
stimple.brad@epa.gov
440-250-1717
For more information on TBAs or to request a TBA:
https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-
and-land-revitalization-illinois-indiana-michigan-
minnesota-ohio-and
Information on U.S. EPA's brownfields program and
brownfields grant information can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: What is a Brown field?
A: Brownfields are 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.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a TBA?
A: Eligible entities include state, local and tribal
governments; general purpose units of local
government, land clearance authorities or other
quasi-governmental entities; regional council or
redevelopment agencies; states or legislatures; or
nonprofit organizations.
TBA assistance may only be used at properties that
meet the statutory definition of a brown field. The
TBA program does not provide resources to conduct
cleanup or building demolition activities. Cleanup
assistance is available under U.S. EPA's cleanup or
Revolving Loan Fund, or RLF, grants. Information on
U.S. EPA's brownfields cleanup and RLF grants can be
found on the U.S. EPA brownfields website at www.
epa.gov/Brownfields.
Q: What kind of technical assistance is provided in
a TBA?
A: Generally, a Phase I and Phase II environmental
site assessment. U.S. EPA can also provide analysis
for risk assessment to potential contaminants and
recommendations for site cleanup.
CONTACT US

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