News Summary
Kansas City has been awarded $8.2 million in federal Brownfields Grants to clean up contaminated properties. This funding will support the Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots site and other local initiatives aimed at community revitalization and economic growth, particularly in affordable housing. In addition to a $4 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant, the city will also receive $2 million for a Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund Grant to further address brownfield issues. The continuous investment is seen as vital for improving the safety and quality of life in affected neighborhoods.
Kansas City Receives $8.2 Million in Brownfields Grants for Community Revitalization Efforts
Kansas City has been granted a total of $8.2 million as part of the federal Brownfields Grants initiative aimed at cleaning up and revitalizing contaminated properties. This funding is part of a larger distribution of $267 million allocated nationwide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The city will receive a $4 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant which is designated for cleaning up 47 vacant parcels collectively known as the Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots site. This site has a historical background as a residential area since 1936, leading to contamination from semi-volatile organic contaminants and heavy metals over the years. In addition to the Washington Wheatley site, the grant will also support cleanup efforts at the former Benson Manufacturing site located at 18th and Agnes.
Kansas City stands out as one of only eight cities in the nation to receive the maximum amount for a cleanup grant. The investment targets the enhancement of future redevelopment opportunities, particularly focusing on affordable housing and creating economic prospects for the community.
Beyond the cleanup grant, the city will also have access to an additional $2 million Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund Grant. This will provide low-interest loans and subgrants for cleanup efforts throughout Kansas City, enhancing the city’s ability to address brownfield issues effectively.
Continuous Investment in Cleanup and Redevelopment
The significance of this funding has been emphasized by local officials, who view it as a crucial step toward transforming environmental challenges into community opportunities. Over the past 28 years, Kansas City has allocated more than $40 million in federal grants specifically aimed at brownfield cleanup and redevelopment efforts.
Previous successful projects funded by Brownfields grants in the city include the establishment of the Zhou B Art Center, the Faxon School Apartments, and an ALDI grocery store located at 39th and Prospect. Such projects highlight the potential for revitalizing contaminated properties and improving neighborhood quality.
Recently, the EPA presented an additional $3 million grant to Kansas City for further redevelopment of brownfield sites, part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding is aimed at facilitating cleanup in the Hardesty Federal Complex and other sites within underserved communities.
Addressing Contamination Concerns
A Brownfields Coordinator has reported that previous funding, totaling $1.8 million, has already contributed to the development of low-income East Garfield Senior Cottages situated in the Ivanhoe Neighborhood, which were constructed on lands previously identified as contaminated.
In terms of safety concerns, it has been found that approximately 50% of vacant lots tested in Kansas City exhibit lead contamination exceeding the recommended safety levels for residential areas. This underscores the urgency for continued investment in cleanup efforts.
The significance of the recent funding and ongoing initiatives are paramount for the community members who navigate through the affected neighborhoods. Kansas State University is currently researching soil treatment methods at sites contaminated with lead, with the objective of stabilizing lead in the soil rather than undertaking the costly process of removing large quantities of contaminated soil.
Overall, Kansas City’s recent awards under the Brownfields Grants program are set to play a vital role in enhancing the safety and quality of life for residents while fostering new economic opportunities through revitalized neighborhood spaces.
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Additional Resources
- Fox4KC: Kansas City Awarded EPA Grants
- Wikipedia: Brownfield
- KCTV5: $6 Million Awarded to KC
- Google Search: Brownfields Grants Kansas City
- KSHB: $3 Million for Redevelopment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Environmental Protection Agency
- News from the States: Arkansas City Receives Grants
- Google News: Environmental Justice
