Brownfields Grant To Revitalize Flagstaff Neighborhood

ADEQ Director Steve Owens announced that the department has awarded a $50,000 grant through its Brownfields Program to the City of Flagstaff to begin assessment, cleanup & revitalization of a local neighborhood. Under the grant, the city will perform Environmental Site Assessments on 2 adjacent land parcels located at 116 & 216 West Phoenix Ave. in Flagstaff's Southside neighborhood, which has experienced difficulties over the years due primarily to area flooding. The 5-acre site must be cleaned of suspected contaminants before flood-related issues can be addressed.

The site includes a vacant lot, parking lot, warehouse, power plant, railroad spur lines & a storage yard, & a wood preservation vat. Phase I of the environmental assessment is expected to begin before the end of Aug., with Phase II slated to start in September. The City of Flagstaff then expects to apply to the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Program for a grant to begin cleanup next year.

A brownfield is an abandoned or under-used property with an active redevelopment potential that suffers from environmental contamination. ADEQ's Brownfields program is made possible with funds ADEQ receives from the federal government.