Metro is offering assistance for brownfield site assessments for properties that could be or will be developed into new affordable housing. This grant from the EPA runs through September 30, 2023.
The project focuses on five main outcomes:
- Conduct full Phase I/Phase II Environmental site assessments (up to 26 for the regionwide affordable housing grant)
- Work with community members to increase understanding of how brownfields impact communities and how to engage in cleanup and redevelopment
- Provide technical assistance to property owners on how to address contaminated sites
- Work with community members and potential developers to move forward with site cleanups based on redevelopment opportunities
- Build capacity of residents and local businesses to learn about careers and job opportunities in environmental remediation and redevelopment
Partnerships and community engagement
Metro works with seven local jurisdictions (cities and counties) to build new affordable housing across the region, and collaborates with other partners to help fund transit-oriented development.
The brownfields program engages with community, including historically under-represented groups, in activities such as:
- sharing project information and opportunities for public input
- supporting engagement staff and contractors with community surveys
- conducting community education activities at assessment sites
- targeting outreach and input opportunities to historically underrepresented groups
- building capacity of youth and local residents to learn about careers in environmental remediation
This grant is part of larger regional and statewide efforts to address brownfields. Since 2013, Metro has led a statewide Oregon Brownfield Coalition that represents diverse interests. The coalition’s legislative workgroup advocates for land bank legislation, funding for the statewide brownfield program, property tax incentive programs and a statewide income tax credit for brownfield assessment and cleanup.