The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) issued a June 16th news release indicating that a Brownfield Certificate of Completion was issued to the City of Conway, Arkansas, for a Brownfield site described as the Conway Scrap Metal property.
DEQ presented a Certificate of Completion to the City of Conway on June 17th to commemorate completion of the Brownfield cleanup requirements for the property.
Many states (including Arkansas) and the federal government have statutes, regulations and policies that are intended to address Brownfields. Brownfields are often referred to as real property (improved or unimproved), expansion, redevelopment or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants.
Incentive provisions, 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.
Conway is stated to have received an United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Brownfield cleanup grant for the property. It is stated to have been enrolled in and received funding from DEQ’s Arkansas Brownfield Program.
The Arkansas Brownfield Program provided a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Comprehensive Site Assessment totaling $108,939.37 to initiate the project. Further, Conway applied for a $200,000 EPA Cleanup Grant which was awarded on October 1, 2015. Additional funds were provided by the Arkansas Brownfield Program.
Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment Secretary Keogh is quoted as stating:
This is an excellent example of local and state partnerships creating environmental solutions. . . We applaud the City of Conway and appreciate the partnership. With successful completion, I am pleased to announce that the former Conway Scrap Metal site is ready for reuse and development.
Conway intends to develop the property as part of an ongoing redevelopment between the Hendrix College and the downtown Conway area. The corridor between Hendrix and downtown Conway had been awarded grant monies by a regional planning authority as part of a Housing and Urban Development initiative. The Conway Scrap Metal Yard was identified as a seed project for the redevelopment effort. It will be redeveloped as a public park.
A copy of the news release can be downloaded here.
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