Brownfields

Definition
"... Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant..."

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Pilot Program. The City of Chicopee, in collaboration with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) submitted a proposal to the EPA for the city's West End Neighborhood. The city and PVPC's proposal was selected, along with proposals from 22 other communities for funding during this initial pilot phase. 

EPA Assistance
According to the EPA's Brownfields webpage, "EPA is providing assistance to 23 communities to facilitate community involvement in developing an area-wide plan for brownfields assessment, cleanup and subsequent reuse. The pilot program recipients will each receive up to approximately $175,000 in grant funding and/or direct technical assistance from the Agency..."

EPA is piloting this area-wide planning approach to community brownfield challenges, which recognizes that revitalization of the area surrounding the brownfield site(s) is critical to the successful reuse of the property as assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of an individual site. The area-wide planning approach will enhance EPA's core brownfields assistance programs by encouraging continued meaningful involvement in a locally-driven planning process that will result in a strategy for making brownfields site assessment, cleanup and/or redevelopment decisions for the future. The pilot program will help further community-based partnership efforts within underserved or economically disadvantaged neighborhoods by confronting local environmental and public health challenges related to brownfields, while creating a planning framework to advance economic development and job creation."
EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grants

FY 2012 - Uniroyal Buildings #7, #33, & #43

FY 2013 - Uniroyal Building #26

FY 2014 - Facemate Baskin Parcel & Uniroyal Rail Line

FY 2015 - Former Racing Oil Property

FY 2016 - Uniroyal Buildings #28N, 28S & 28N. Ext.

FY 2017 - Uniroyal Buildings #15, 27 & 42 Cleanup Proposal

FY2018 - Community-Wide Assessment Grants Proposal\