The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday, May 11, 2021 that The City of Frederick has been awarded a $300,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant for use on Frederick’s eastside. According to the EPA Announcement by Administrator Michael S. Regan, Frederick is one of 151 communities nationwide to receive an award. In total, the EPA selected 151 communities to receive 154 grant awards amounting to $66.5 million.
“The City is excited about the opportunity provided through this sizeable grant to assess potential environmental issues on properties within Frederick’s historically industrial east side and along Carroll Creek,” stated Mayor Michael O’Connor upon receiving the official notice from the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management. “The revitalization of old industrial properties for new uses often means mitigating environmental issues caused by processes and activities discontinued decades ago, and the City is delighted to partner with the EPA to document and mitigate potential issues.”
EPA Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grants are used to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. MAC grants support economic growth and job creation and empower communities to address the environmental, public health, and social issues associated with contaminated land.
“The City applied for this grant earlier this year to continue efforts for positioning public and private property along Carroll Creek Park and Frederick’s East Side for planned development and adaptive reuse in the future,” stated Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development. “The city owns multiple properties which are intended for future mixed-use and municipal development, which need environmental assessment as a preliminary step toward sale and re-development, and there are many adjacent private or quasi-public lands which can also benefit these efforts.”
The Department of Economic Development will be working with the EPA, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), to identify projects, solicit community input, and conduct the assessments over the next year. The City worked with its federal grants consultant, Sustainable Strategies DC, to prepare this EPA funding application.
Questions regarding this grant and its intended use should be directed to Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development, at rgriffin@cityoffrederickmd.gov or 301.600.6361.