The I-195 land has the potential to unlock significant redevelopment opportunities. We've put in a lot of work in readying the land for development, from obtaining master permitting, building new roads, putting in new utilities.
I am pleased to announce that we have received a EPA Brownfields Clean Up Grant that will assist in preparing one of our key parcels for development.
Known as Parcel 30, the site is adjacent to Johnson & Wales University's new construction and has frontage on both Friendship and Clifford Streets. It is a highly visible parcel with prime walking transit and driving connections to Downcity, the Jewelry District and Highways A soil analysis and investigation funded by an earlier Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management grant showed Parcel 30 had some soil contamination dating back to its historic use in the 1950s as stores, residences and a jewelry manufacturer.
Governor Gina Raimondo noted, "Cleaning up this parcel of the valuable I-195 land is a critical step not only to protect our environment, but also to attract businesses and catalyze economic growth in Rhode Island."
The $200,000 Brownfields Grant will be used for remediation and preparing Parcel 30 for development and capping.
Not only will this federal investment help protect public health and the environment, but it will also allow the community to work in partnership to revitalize the area and strengthen the local economy.
" I am pleased to see these federal funds flowing to Rhode Island in support of this important project," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees federal funding for all EPA programs.
In 2002, Reed helped pass legislation making this federal Brownfields funding possible. I'd also like to recognize the Environmental Engineering firm of Fuss & O'Neil for its critical help in obtaining the grant.
EPA's Brownfields Program provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, and environmental job training. To facilitate the leveraging of public resources, EPA's Brownfields Program collaborates with other EPA programs, other federal partners, and state agencies to identify and make available resources that can be used for brownfields activities.
Jan Brodie is executive director of I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, Providence, R.I.