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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a May 16th news release announcing $267 million in Brownfield grants.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas was awarded $500,000.00 that will be targeted for the Downtown Development District.
The federal government and many states (including Arkansas) have statutes, regulations, and policies that are intended to address “Brownfields”. Brownfields are often referred to as property (improved and unimproved) the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
Incentive provisions, funding programs, liability exemptions, and action/cleanup standards have been utilized for a number of years to attempt to reduce the barriers for reuse or redevelopment of Brownfield properties. The goal of Brownfield programs is to encourage redevelopment and investment in such properties to increase the local tax base, facilitate job growth, and utilize existing infrastructure, encourage infield use, and take pressure off of greenspace.
The Pine Bluff Downtown Development District areas that will be targeted include:
- Saenger Theatre.
- Hotel Pines.
- Pine Bluff Bus Terminal.
The grant references the preparation of the following:
- Four Cleanup Plans.
- One Brownfield Revitalization Plan.
A copy of the EPA news release and the Pine Bluff Fact Sheet can be download here.
