Chippewa Falls Wi. receives grant to turn brownfield into green space
MADISON –The City of Chippewa Falls will receive a $19,000 grant to cleanup petroleum contamination from an abandoned service station and turn the tax delinquent property into parkland as part of a downtown riverfront plan.
The grant, from the Department of Natural Resource Brownfield Green Space and Public Facilities Grant Program, will help pay for the removal of petroleum contaminated soil from the former Unocal 76 station at 12 South Bridge St., near the Chippewa River. The Unocal property has been tax-delinquent since 2005. After the cleanup is completed it will become part of Riverside Park in accordance with the city’s downtown riverfront plan.
The Brownfield Green Space and Public Facilities Grant Program is one of the nation’s only programs that provide opportunities for local governments to convert brownfields into long-term public benefits such as parks, libraries and fire stations. Brownfields are abandoned, idle, or underused property with an industrial or commercial history where known or suspected contamination hinders redevelopment.
“These unique grants do more than just take care of contaminated eyesore properties. They build stronger neighborhoods, increase local property values and foster other community development projects,” said DNR Secretary Matt Frank.
Nearly $1 million in Green Space and Public Facilities Grants are still available for qualifying Wisconsin projects. Applications to DNR may be made until Feb. 6, 2009, or until all available funds are used. Eligible applicants include tribes, cities, villages, towns, counties, redevelopment authorities, community development authorities and housing authorities. Non-profit organizations can partner with local governments. Grants may be up to $200,000, with a local match that is proportional to the size of the grant.
More information about Brownfield Green Space and Public Facilities Grants is available on the DNR Web site. Program staff recommend potential applicants schedule an informal discussion to answer questions about the grant process before applying.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Prager, DNR, at (608) 261-4927
