EPA announces $600,000 in brownfields grants for Philadelphia

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today awarded $600,000 in brownfields grants to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority.

“As the factories of Philadelphia came and went, vacant land and contaminated soil was often left behind," Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Director Brian Abernathy said. "As Philadelphia looks to the future, green space, urban agriculture and storm water infrastructure will be key to community revitalization. We appreciate the EPA’s help and support as we work to identify, assess and redevelop some of our vacant parcels into community assets.”

The Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development won three grants totaling $400,000, while the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority received $200,000 in funding. The money will go toward brownfields assessment in the Bartram South site, which is adjacent to Bartram Gardens, with the goal of creating urban gardens and agriculture.

“I want to congratulate Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority on their success in redeveloping brownfields sites,” EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin said. “These funds will not only be used to assess contamination, but will also facilitate the sites being returned to a more productive use that will have lasting benefits to the surrounding communities.”