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Oklahoma City to Receive $2 Million Grant from EPA

Release Date: 5/10/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Oklahoma City has been selected to receive a $2,000,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund, EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene announced today.

     "Brownfields grants help revitalize former industrial and commercial sites, turning them from problem properties to productive community use," Greene said. "I am glad that EPA can support the good work Oklahoma City has begun and I look forward to applauding its achievements."

     Three Brownfields redevelopment projects are a priority for Oklahoma City's Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund.  The Truman School site is proposed for redevelopment into a Truman Community Center.  The Will Rogers Public Housing site is proposed for redevelopment to reinstate 354 family residential units.  Also, the Plaza Court Building is proposed for redevelopment to restore the historic site for mixed use retail and housing in downtown Oklahoma City.

     In 2003, Oklahoma City received an EPA Innovations Grant of $65,000 to develop a Brownfields curriculum. The City formed a coalition with Oklahoma County, Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, and Oklahoma City Housing Authority to offer cleanup loans for Brownfields properties in the Oklahoma City's Empowerment Zone and impoverished areas in Oklahoma County.  Overall, its 10 existing Brownfields grant recipients have received $3,550,000 in EPA funds and leveraged about $57 million for Brownfields redevelopment.

     A Brownfield is a property which may have expansion, redevelopment or reuse challenges from hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. EPA's Brownfields program is designed to help stakeholders prevent, assess, safely clean and sustainably reuse these properties.  Reinvesting in Brownfields increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, uses existing infrastructure, takes development pressures off undeveloped land, and improves and protects the environment.

     Four categories of Brownfields grants are being announced nationwide today to 218 applicants selected to receive 302 grants totaling $75.9 million.  More information about EPA's Brownfields program and the grant recipients is available at https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/. An audio clip is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/radio.htm.