HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0003) IR 10309 - Environmental Brownfields Program UpdateINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 10309
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
August 27, 2019
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SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM UPDATE
The purpose of this Informal Report is to update City Council on the Fort Worth Brownfields Program.
Background
A brownfield is any abandoned or underutilized building/structure or vacant land that has real or
perceived environmental contamination which is generally costly to redevelop. Each year, since
1995, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded millions of dollars to local
governments to enhance local brownfields programs throughout the country.
The City of Fort Worth was one of the first cities to receive a $1,000,000 Revolving Loan Fund
(RLF) as part of EPA's pilot brownfields grant program. Since that time, Fort Worth
residents/businesses have used approximately $200,000 for environmental site assessments,
citywide, as well as a $800,000 loan which was appropriated for the cleanup of contamination
located at the former American Cyanamid/Technicoat site. This site was redeveloped as LaGrave
Field in 2007. Unfortunately, following 2008 recession, the Fort Worth Brownfields Program
became dormant, and very few brownfield activities have occurred since 2015.
Over the past four years, staff have worked to modernize and re -energize the City of Fort Worth
Brownfields Program to include a new application process, formation of a new interdepartmental
brownfields committee, a new marketing plan that includes rebranding of the program, and the re -
engagement of the partnership with the EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
(TCEQ).
FORT WORTH
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ACHIEVING...... H"MGH ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP
Current Status
On September 11t", 2019, the Code Compliance Environmental Quality Division will host an all -
day brownfields workshop. This first -ever, city -sponsored workshop will be held in the historic Fort
Worth Stockyards and will feature presentations by the EPA, TCEQ, the Texas Railroad
Commission (RRC), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and several
other local subject matter experts. City staff will be discussing new aspects of the program and
providing information to interested parties for utilizing the program services.
The resurgence of the city's brownfields program will have a positive effect on the greater Fort
Worth community by improving environmental health, welfare and safety, supporting
redevelopment opportunities, improved property values, community appearance and livability.
For more information about the program, please contact Cody Whittenburg, Environmental
Manager, at 817-392-5455.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS