Brownfields Project Website Launched

Oskaloosa City Hall

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the City of Oskaloosa two Brownfields Assessment Grants totaling $400,000 which allow the City to inventory, characterize, assess, and plan the revitalization and reuse of underutilized properties within the community. Brownfields are underutilized or abandoned properties in which future development is complicated by the perception or presence of environmental contaminants.

Brownfield sites can include land or buildings containing asbestos or other pollutants; former industrial or commercial sites such as gas stations, dry cleaners, auto repair shops, industrial manufacturers, warehouses, service stations, landfills, and mine-scarred land. Clearing brownfields of environmental stigmas will help our neighborhoods remain vibrant and sustainable.

Residents and land developers can track project progress on the City’s new brownfields website. The highly-interactive tool features a Geographic Information System (GIS) map that displays project data including sites targeted for investigation, sites with completed assessment activities, recognized environmental conditions, sampling locations, and environmental database records. All investigation reports are also available for review or download. Check back frequently – the City is committed to keeping the website up-to-date with all project information. Visit it at www.oskaloosaiowa.org/brownfields.

For more information, please contact City of Oskaloosa Public Works Director Akhilesh Pal (641-673-7472 or akhilesh.pal@oskaloosaiowa.org) or HR Green Project Director Scott Mattes (515-657-5277 or smattes@hrgreen.com).