Brownfields Supplemental Assistance

PILOT SNAPSHOT	Date of Announcement: May 2002 Amount: $150,000
Target Area: City of Omaha, Nebraska Profile: The Pilot plans to assess and revitalize underused and abandoned properties located in the blighted and economically distressed Northeast Redevelopment District.

BACKGROUND

EPA awarded the City of Omaha supplemental assistance for its Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot. Omaha is the largest city in eastern Nebraska. The target area for the supplemental assistance encompasses properties located west of the Pilot's initial study area along the Missouri River. The targeted Northeast Redevelopment District is a blighted industrial area populated largely by minority residents. Area residents suffer from a poverty rate of 56 percent and an unemployment rate of 23 percent. These statistics are drastically higher than citywide averages.

The original Pilot completed Phase I environmental assessments, developed cleanup strategies, facilitated public involvement, and conducted redevelopment planning for three riverfront properties. Supplemental funds will be used to maintain the revitalization momentum begun under the original Pilot by assessing and planning for the redevelopment of underused and abandoned properties located west of the original Pilot properties. Phase I environmental assessments will be completed at a minimum of five properties in the Northeast Redevelopment District. Phase II environmental assessments will be completed at one or more of the properties, depending on the findings of the Phase I environmental assessments.

OBJECTIVES

Omaha's overall objective is to integrate redevelopment of brownfields into an aggressive economic development program targeting impacted portions of the city, especially the Northeast Redevelopment District. The supplemental assistance will be used to perform Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments on selected sites in the target area, involve the public in land-use decisions, and develop a comprehensive land-use redevelopment plan.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Activities planned as part of this Pilot include:

• Conducting Phase I environmental assessments on at least five underused and abandoned properties in the Northeast Redevelopment District;
• Conducting Phase II environmental assessments on one or more of the targeted properties, depending on Phase I findings;
• Involving the public through workshops, public meetings and project newsletters; and
• Developing a comprehensive land-use redevelopment plan.

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

CONTACTS

City of Omaha
(402) 444-3904

Regional Brownfields Team
U.S. EPA Region 7
(913) 551-7003

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: www.epa.gov/brownfields