Missouri Land Revitalization Projects Look to Industrial Past as Inspiration for the Future
– EPA Region 7 Feature –
By Jenn Little, Office of Public Affairs
The introduction of the railroad in Missouri during the 19th century drastically altered the trajectory of the Ozark State. Trains replaced the steamboat, allowing for increased efficiency in commercial business. Industry and manufacturing sprung up as trains carried people and goods from Missouri across the country.
In the following years, Twain may have commented on the changing state of technology as air travel and trucking encroached on railway’s monopoly, just as it had done on river boating. And as all technology evolves, so too has mining and manufacturing, leaving abandoned tracks, railyards and facilities in its wake.
Unfortunately, environmental contamination can be left behind too, complicating redevelopment. However, with help from EPA Region 7’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program, communities across Missouri have reimagined these former industrial sites and transformed them from areas of contamination to sources of social and economic benefit.
In the paragraphs to follow, we’ll share the stories of several communities in the state that have successfully redeveloped these former industrial sites.
From Servicing Railcars to Remediation in KC
The Kansas City Terminal Railway railyard was built in the early 20th century to service trains coming from Union Station. However, servicing needs declined as train travel became less popular. Eventually, the railyard was abandoned, leaving behind widespread arsenic contamination as well as lead paint, asbestos, and underground storage tanks.
The site was considered a brownfield. These are properties where reuse may be complicated by known or suspected contamination from a hazardous substance, pollutant, or other contaminant, often from prior industrial or commercial use. EPA’s Brownfields Program was created in 1995 to help communities redevelop these properties.
The 22-acre railyard was one of the first properties in Kansas City redeveloped under EPA’s Brownfields Program. After completing cleanup, a historic preservation architect used the original 1903 drawings to convert the 62,000-square-foot engine service roundhouse into a unique office space, now known as Westside Business Park.
North Kansas City Site Successfully Redevelops
The Armour Road Site was referred to EPA in 1996 and listed on the Superfund Program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1999. The city saw an opportunity to transform this former industrial area into a vibrant mixed-use hub, enticing workers and visitors to continue into North Kansas City rather than get on the interstate.
“The city of North Kansas City started with a vision two decades ago, and our goal from the beginning was to help facilitate that vision. This is just what we do. Reuse and redevelopment is part of the Superfund DNA here in Region 7,” said Hoai Tran, EPA Region 7 remedial project manager for the site.
Today, EPA and its partners have completed soil cleanup, the former facility infrastructure has been removed, and the site property has been redeveloped into a medical office, jewelry store, and restaurant.
A Redevelopment Boom in Springfield
Springfield’s first brownfields redevelopment project began in the 1990s as community members conceptualized Jordan Valley Park, a large community gathering place that would transform a blighted, abandoned industrial corridor. Using EPA Assessment Grants, the city identified the types of environmental contamination present at the former industrial plants and an old limestone quarry. After identification, the city addressed pollutants and transformed the land into a community green space.
“Community members wanted it to be a ‘grand civic gesture’ focused on recreation, gathering places, and beautifully landscaped corridors. The idea was that the redevelopment would provide investor confidence in both public and private investment throughout the entire city,” said Olivia Hough, senior planner and brownfields coordinator for the city of Springfield, Missouri.
Since then, Springfield has been highly successful in incorporating brownfields land revitalization into broader redevelopment plans. The city’s portfolio of brownfields projects includes Hammons Field – home of the Springfield Cardinals, the History Museum on the Square, the reclamation of the West Meadows former railyard, a health center, many affordable housing developments, and numerous businesses along or near the Commercial Street Historic District.
“EPA’s Brownfields Program has been a key implementation tool in achieving our community’s vision for the city,” Hough said. EPA’s funding and technical assistance has spurred more than $460 million in public and private investments toward the revitalization of former brownfields, with more projects underway.
History Drives Transformation at St. Louis’ City Foundry
Nearly 100 years ago, Century Electric purchased property in the Prospect Industrial District of St. Louis. The abundant rail lines in the area made it a desirable spot for warehouses and manufacturers of machinery, shoes, and brewing products.
Century Electric was the first company to create repulsion type motors in small sizes, making the development of early household appliances possible. Their facility in the Prospect Industrial District produced custom iron and ferrous alloy castings for electric motors and generators.
The foundry changed hands multiple times before becoming vacant in 2007. Redevelopment of the property was complicated given the presence of volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and lead-based paint. However, with help from the state of Missouri, an interested developer was able to put the site back to productive use after environmental cleanup and remediation.
Now, more than a century after Century Electric was founded, the building and its grounds have been cleaned up and are set to open as a public market called City Foundry. Unfortunately, the opening has been delayed by COVID-19. But when the shops, food hall, and entertainment spaces do open, St. Louisans will see how developers have reimagined the foundry’s industrial past for modern use.
Supporting Missouri Communities
Since 1995, Missouri communities have been awarded over $35.5 million for competitive job training, assessment, cleanup, revolving loan fund, area-wide planning, and multi-purpose grants. In addition, EPA has awarded over $19 million to the MDNR State Response Program, which includes the Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup program.
EPA has also funded land revitalization efforts through contractor support in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Joplin, and several other Missouri communities, and conducted Targeted Brownfield Assessments of properties across the state on behalf of qualified communities.
As EPA looks to the past during our 50th anniversary, we celebrate these revitalization successes and look forward to continuing our support of Missouri communities.
- Learn more about EPA’s Land Revitalization Program
- Read about different types of EPA grant funding
- View other Region 7 land revitalization success stories