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EPA Awards $100,000 Targeted Brownfields Assessment to Greenfield, MA

Release Date: 11/17/2003
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Involvement Office, 617-918-1064

BOSTON- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is awarding a Targeted Brownfields Assessment grant of services valued at $100,000 to the town of Greenfield to assess the former Food and Fuel site, 270 Deerfield Street, for potential cleanup. The site borders the Green River and town officials are interested in incorporating this area into their plans for enhancement of the riverfront.

"The town is doing a great job in identifying potential sites for redevelopment, and in this case one that can be reused for recreational purposes," said Robert W. Varney, EPA regional administrator. "EPA's Smart Growth agenda supports local efforts to redevelop parcels that have been used before. The site assessment we're awarding today is an important step in that process and will give Greenfield officials the information they need to move forward with their project."

Under EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program, EPA hires a contractor to perform site assessments, to develop cleanup options and cost estimates, and to ensure the community has access to the findings.

"I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the town," said Greenfield Mayor Christine Forgey, "because it supports the continued revitalization of the Deerfield Street neighborhood." The Mayor invited the public to a meeting to discuss reuse of the site and the town's application to EPA for cleanup funds. The meeting will be held Tuesday, November 25th at 6 PM at the Greenfield Police Department Meeting Room, 321 High Street. "We want to be as inclusive as possible as we move forward with our plans to clean up the site and promote economic development of the area," she said.

Across the country, EPA estimates there are hundreds of thousands of Brownfields - properties that are abandoned or underdeveloped because of contamination or fear of contamination. EPA has awarded nearly $74 million in Brownfields grants, $4.6 million in Targeted Brownfield Assessment grants, across New England. Massachusetts communities have received a total of $30.5 million. Across New England, these grants have led to 640 completed site assessments, $300 million in leveraged funds for redevelopment and over 2,000 jobs created.