What is a Brownfield?
A “brownfield” is a property that has, or may be perceived to have, environmental impacts. The potential presence of hazardous substances, petroleum, or presence of regulated building materials (e.g., asbestos, lead paint) may impede reuse or redevelopment opportunities for the property. By completing environmental site assessment and cleanup activities, it is possible to transform brownfields from liabilities into assets of benefit to the landowners and the community.
Program Overview
In 2022, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) in partnership with the cities of Longmont, Cortez, Firestone, and Lyons were awarded a $2,000,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields grant to support the assessment, cleanup planning, and revitalization of “brownfield” sites that are publicly and privately-owned properties upon which there is perceived or actual environmental contamination. The grant rant funds are made available to property owners of such properties and the local governments to prepare Phase I and, as needed, Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), cleanup planning strategies, and a related land-planning activities. The goal is to transform properties from a community liability into tax generating or public benefit assets that work towards revitalization of the community and enhance the livability of the surrounding neighborhood. Funding is available on a first come, first served basis, based on eligibility and community priority. CDPHE estimates funding availability for approximately 30 high priority Phase I ESA sites and 18 high priority Phase II ESA sites for the communities involved Expenditure of the funds must be completed by the end of 2027.
The grant funding is provided by CDPHE with environmental services provided by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (Stantec).
Program Goals
- Support local economic development initiatives that stimulate investment and provide new employment opportunities.
- Transform blighted areas into safe, viable spaces that enhance our neighborhoods.
- Restore the environment and protect human health.
- Create public-private partnerships that will leverage funding for redevelopment projects.
- Gather and utilize public input to identify priority redevelopment areas, plans and strategies.
Guiding Principles
- Prioritize use of grant funds on strategic redevelopment/revitalization sites (e.g., adaptive building reuse, historic preservation, large parcels, parcel assemblage, high traffic corners/corridors, etc.) having potential or actual contamination with opportunity to attract private-sector investment and serve as catalyst for new development and community revitalization stimulating economic growth, and employment and living opportunities.
- Promote infill development that maximizes use of existing space, infrastructure and utilities.
- Remove redevelopment barriers by addressing unknown environmental site conditions and creating “shovel ready” development opportunities.
- Invest in sites that will enhance public and private revenue generation.
- Transform blighted areas into thriving neighborhoods.
- Enhance and protect public health and the environment.
- Promote public participation and input on suspect properties.
The benefits of brownfield redevelopment?
- Parties that cleanup and reuse or redevelop brownfields sites provide benefits to themselves and their community, including:
- Identifying and removing unknowns regarding site conditions that might hold up a future sale, financing agreement and/or redevelopment project.
- Increasing financial return from the property by making it more valuable and marketable.
- Contributing to economic prosperity and environmental restoration in the community.
- Enhancing the health and safety of the community.
- Mutual cooperative planning and corrective actions so as to avoid unilateral enforcement by regulatory agencies that may impose penalties and costly cleanups.
- Reducing potential impacts from and to adjacent properties
How can you use grant funding for your property?
Funding is available to parties interested in completing an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and/or Regulated Building Material (RBM) surveys, for materials such as asbestos and lead paint, and developing site cleanup/reuse plans in support of property sale, demolition or redevelopment. Property owners, business owners, and developers are encouraged to take advantage of this funding opportunity that will further economic development initiatives, protect public health, and restore the environment. Additional information is available by clicking on the following topics:
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Assessment & Environmental Cleanup Process
• Assessment Descriptions / Processes / Timelines
• Site Selection Process
• Site Nomination Form / Application for Grant Consideration
Contact
For more information on Brownfield’s and Longmont’s Redevelopment and Revitalization programs, including potential redevelopment support, contact:
Tony Chacon, Redevelopment Manager
Phone: 303-651-8318 Email: tony.chacon@longmontcolorado.gov
Disclaimer: Although this project has been funded wholly or in part by the EPA, the contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA.
