EPA Awards $189,000 Grant for Cleanup Activities at Lamar Station Apartments in Lakewood, Colo.

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $189,000 grant to the Lakewood Housing Authority (LHA) for cleanup activities at the future site of the Lamar Station Apartments in Lakewood, Colo. The funds will be used to remove approximately 4,200 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil left behind from prior industrial and commercial activities. The cleanup efforts will pave the way for a redevelopment project that will create sustainable housing and support temporary and permanent jobs in the area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EPA awarded a $189,000 grant to the Lakewood Housing Authority (LHA) for cleanup activities at the future site of the Lamar Station Apartments in Lakewood, Colo.
  • The funds will be used to remove approximately 4,200 cubic yards of petroleum contaminated soil left behind from prior industrial and commercial activities.
  • The site is located in the Two Creeks neighborhood at 6150 West 13th Ave, an area that is a focal point for urban renewal due to its proximity to the West Corridor light rail line.
  • LHA plans to redevelop the site into an affordable housing complex featuring 176 energy-efficient apartment units after the cleanup is complete.
  • The redevelopment plans also include extensive outdoor open spaces and direct light rail access.
  • The site was occupied by a variety of industrial, auto, and commercial uses until it became vacant in 2004, at which time LHA acquired the property.
  • Since acquiring the property, LHA has made significant investments to remove asbestos, demolish buildings, and sample soil to determine the extent of environmental contamination.
  • The EPA's brownfields grants are used to assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties like deserted gas stations or closed smelters.
  • There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites in America.
  • EPA's brownfields investments have leveraged more than $16.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding from a variety of public and private sources.
  • These investments have resulted in approximately 70,000 jobs.
  • Brownfields grants also target under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Statistics:

  • $189,000: The amount of the EPA grant awarded to the Lakewood Housing Authority (LHA) for cleanup activities.
  • 4,200 cubic yards: The estimated amount of petroleum contaminated soil left behind from prior industrial and commercial activities at the site.
  • 40 states and 3 tribes: The number of regions where the EPA is providing brownfields grants, totaling $76 million.
  • 2013: The scheduled completion date for the West Corridor light rail line.
  • 176: The number of energy-efficient apartment units planned for the redevelopment project.
  • 450,000: The estimated number of abandoned and contaminated waste sites in America.
  • $16.3 billion: The amount of cleanup and redevelopment funding leveraged by EPA's brownfields investments.
  • 70,000: The number of jobs resulting from EPA's brownfields investments.

Sources:

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) press release
  • Lakewood Housing Authority (LHA)