Slice of $4 million stays local to help assess Oak Grove neighborhood
LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) - A slice of nearly $4 million will stay right here in the metro to assess Land Bank properties in the Oak Grove neighborhood.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Friday, May 23, that $267 million in Brownfields Grants have now been sent to communities across the U.S., including $4 million headed to the Sunflower State.
“The $267 million in Brownfield Grants will transform contaminated properties into valuable spaces for businesses and housing, creating new opportunities that strengthen local economies and directly benefit American families,” said EPA Zeldin. “EPA’s Brownfields program demonstrates how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity complement each other. Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water while ing sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.”
EPA leaders noted that the grants put their commitment to protect human health and the environment into action as they remain good stewards of tax dollars and advance policies to energize the economy.
“EPA Region 7 is proud to work with our partners across the state of Kansas, advancing cooperative federalism and empowering local and state partners to take the lead in revitalizing their communities,” said EPA Region 7 Jim Macy. “This collaborative approach ensures fiscal responsibility, promotes economic development, and transforms potentially contaminated properties into clean, usable land that s long-term growth and sustainability.”
Agency officials indicated that several Kansas entities were chosen to receive EPA Brownfields grants:
- City of Beloit - $418,620 to clean up the Kansas Industrial School Campus at 1720 N. Hersey Ave. The site was the location of a juvenile detention center for girls until 2009, when it was vacated due to contamination from inorganic contaminants. The funds will also be used to conduct community engagement surveys.
- Flint Hills Regional Council - $1 million will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund to provide up to 3 loans and 2 subgrants to cleanup activities. Gunds will also be used to establish the RLF, market the program and community engagement activities. These will focus on Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley and Wabaunsee counties, with a particular focus on Herington, Junction City and Manhattan.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment - $2 million will be used to conduct 116 Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Funds will also the development of at least 3 cleanup plans and 1 community meeting annually, with each to provide general updates on the grant. The target area includes the Oak Grove neighborhood in Kansas City and the cities of Eureka and El Dorado. Priority sites include Land Bank properties in Oak Grove; a former horse racetrack, a former nursing home, sites adjacent to the existing fire department to accommodate its expansion, Memorial Hall and the former Masonic Lodge in Eureia; and the Grizzly Development in El Dorado.
- City of Topeka - $500,000 will be used to conduct 8 Phase I and 3 Phase II environmental site assessments. Funds will also be used to inventory brownfield sites and reuse planning and community engagement activities. The target area includes the former White Lakes Mall and 2 former schools.
“The Community Wide Assessment Grant for State and Tribal will help increase property values and create jobs across Kansas,” said Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek. “Receiving these substantial dollars to the redevelopment of brownfields throughout the state not only benefits the environment, but it elevates communities and industries by turning underutilized and vacant properties into productive ones. This is a win for the entire state.”
EPA leaders said federal grant recipients are required to satisfy legal and istrative requirements in order to receive funds.
“These investments through the bipartisan infrastructure law are a win for Kansas communities – turning long-abandoned, contaminated sites into clean, usable spaces that can spur economic growth,” said U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03). “By ing local cleanup and redevelopment efforts, we’re protecting public health, revitalizing neighborhoods, and helping lay the groundwork for future opportunity.”
For a full list of selected applicants, click HERE.
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