Brownfields Supplemental Assistance Fact Sheet

PILOT SNAPSHOT
	Date of Announcement: April 2001 Amount: $150,000 Greenspace: $50,000
Target Area: City of Ft. Worth, TX Profile: The Pilot targets the most industrialized parts of the city, with specific emphasis on three districts in the eastern portion of the city that represent some of the poorest neighborhoods in the city.

BACKGROUND

EPA has selected the City of Fort Worth to receive supplemental assistance for its Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot and additional funding for assessments at brownfields properties to be used for greenspace purposes. The city has grown from an army outpost to a 308squaremile business center with a population of approximately 484,500. It is a diverse community with a 43 percent minority population. Approximately 17 percent of the city's population lives below the poverty level. Historically, Fort Worth has been known for its cattle industry. More recently, however, manufacturing, distribution, and technology activities have become a major part of the city's economy. Most of city's brownfields formerly were small and mid-sized manufacturing operations and illegal dumping sites.

The Pilot targets the most industrialized parts of the city, with specific emphasis on three districts in the eastern portion of the city. The minority populations in these communities (currently about 70 percent) have borne the brunt of impacts from the city's brownfields. Virtually all forms of commerce, except for convenience stores and gas stations, have vacated the area. Islands of brownfields have contributed to the deterioration of the target neighborhoods by decreasing job opportunities, increasing health and safety hazards, and serving as centers for increased neighborhood crime.

OBJECTIVES AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES

The city's objective is to build upon Fort Worth's progress to date in planning for brownfields redevelopment and building public support and participation in the process. Supplemental funds will be used to continue the identification and assessment of brownfields sites and to expand public involvement efforts. Greenspace funds will be used to conduct two Phase I and two Phase II environmental site assessments on brownfields with potential reuse as greenspace. Four possible greenspace projects have been identified, including a minor league ballpark and surrounding open space, a public golf course, a neighborhood park, and a downtown civic square.

Activities planned as part of this Pilot include:

• Continuing to identify potential brownfields and incorporate them into the city's database;
• Conducting Phase I assessments of seven additional properties;
• Conducting Phase II assessments of three additional properties; and
• Expanding public involvement and developing "success stories" to be submitted to brownfields-related publications.

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

CONTACTS

Fort Worth Department of Environmental Management
(817) 871-8136

Regional Brownfields Team
U.S. EPA - Region 6
(214) 665-6736

Visit the EPA Region 6 Brownfields web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/bfpages/sfbfhome.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/