05/28/2014 - Tigard Awarded U.S. EPA Brownfields Grant - " City of Tigard
Press Release
13125 SW Hall Boulevard I Tigard,Oregon 97223 www.tigard-or.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 2014
Contact:
Sean Farrelly
Redevelopment Project Manager
City of Tigard
503-718-2420
sean@tigard-or.gov
Tigard Awarded U.S. EPA Brownfields Grant
The City of Tigard has been awarded two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)grants totaling
$400,000 to inventory,assess,and conduct planning and community involvement activities related to
brownfield sites. The awards,announced today by the EPA in the highly competitive Brownfields
Assessment Grants Program,will accelerate Tigard's goal of cleaning up contaminated land for
redevelopment.
The successful application was developed by the city's Economic Development Division and was
bolstered by letters of support from several community organizations,including the Tigard
Downtown Alliance,Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce,Westside Economic Alliance,Hispanic
Metropolitan Chamber,the Center for Intercultural Organizing,Tualatin Riverkeepers,Community
Partners for Affordable Housing, City Center Advisory Commission,and Portland Community
College.The project was also championed by Senator Merkley and received strong support from
Senator Wyden and Representative Bonamici.
"Addressing brownfields is a key component in encouraging economic development and promoting public
health." said Community Development Director Kenny Asher. "These properties tend to be strategically
located and redevelopment is necessary for Tigard to become a more interesting and walkable place. But the
contamination needs to be solved first."
The EPA grant is crucial for advancing the city's Brownfield Initiative,which is a proactive program of
engaging property owners and residents to facilitate assessments on contaminated properties and plan for
their productive reuse. The city will focus the grant funds in its downtown,as well as sites in the city's 1,100
acres of industrial and employment land.
"The city is looking forward to working with its community partners to address the key issue of contaminated
properties,and creating a more livable,walkable, and economically resilient community" said Mayor John
Cook.
A brownfield site is an industrial or commercial property that is potentially contaminated,especially one
considered for redevelopment.
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