Brownfields Assessment Pilot Fact Sheet

BACKGROUND

EPA has selected the City of Cedar Rapids for a Brownfields Pilot. Cedar Rapids (population 108,751) is the largest community in eastern Iowa. There are several areas in the City, including the targeted south-side neighborhood, with disproportionately high numbers of elderly, low-income, and minority residents. Unemployment in the targeted area is 13%, and 30% of the area's population lives in poverty. Nearly 38% of the area's residents are elderly and 28% of the residents are minority.

The targeted area, consisting of approximately 177 acres of mixed-use property-commercial, industrial, and a long-established Eastern European residential neighborhood-is in decline and transition. Approximately 70 acres of this property is considered to be brownfields. The residential cohesiveness within the area has eroded, and buildings have been abandoned and neglected. Three sites-a former meat-processing facility, a building that housed a steel fabricating business, and an abandoned iron foundry-will be targeted by the Pilot.

OBJECTIVES

As part of the City's comprehensive and sustainable planning effort, the Pilot plans to help transform the targeted area into a year-round recreational complex with parkways and trails. The project seeks to accentuate the positive and unique attributes of the area (e.g., Cedar River, the Eastern European neighborhood, and cultural buildings) while overcoming the blighted conditions, enhancing environmental quality, and creating jobs. To help accomplish these larger objectives, the Pilot will focus on environmental assessment, cleanup planning, and community engagement at the three priority brownfields in the area. In addition, the City will work to leverage other public and private sector funds to help complete this project.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Activities planned as part of this Pilot include:

• Conducting Phase I and II environmental assessments at the three targeted properties;

• Analyzing cleanup strategies and developing cleanup cost estimates for the properties;

• Developing a risk-based cleanup plan for the properties that considers alternate redevelopment plans and emphasizes compatibility with the surrounding area;

• Identifying cleanup funding sources; and

• Working with community stakeholders in the planning efforts.

The cooperative agreement for this Pilot has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change.

CONTACTS

Department of Development
City of Cedar Rapids
(319) 398-5041

Regional Brownfields Team
U.S. EPA - Region 7
(913) 551-7786

Visit the EPA Region 7 Brownfields web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/brownfields/index.htm

For further information, including specific Pilot contacts, additional Pilot information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/