The City of Tallahassee continues to have one of the most successful brownfields programs in the state of Florida and the southeastern United States. Since 2008, the City of Tallahassee has received $2 million in federal Brownfields grant funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Brownfields are properties where the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination hinders redevelopment or reuse. Assessing, cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects human health and the environment, reduces blight, promotes reuse of properties and takes development pressures off green spaces and working lands. The City's Environmental Policy and Energy Resources Department (EPER) is responsible for administering the grant funds, and guiding the assessment and cleanup activities.
The City has been fortunate to receive over $2M in federal brownfields grant funding since the late 1990s. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has also supported the City's brownfields activities with benefits such as expedited project review and Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credits. These benefits and more are available to anyone who wishes to take advantage of the Brownfields Program.
What are Brownfields?
The U.S. EPA defines brownfields as: "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." (Section 101(39) of CERCLA)
The Brownfields Program is designed to empower states, communities, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse Brownfields sites. The program promotes the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields sites through policies, laws, and initiatives that explore sector-based solutions, enhance environmental quality, spur economic development, and revitalize communities.
More About Brownfields
Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund
In June, 2011, the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Coalition (BFC), comprised of the City of Tallahassee and the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency, was awarded a $1 million Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant (RLF). These grant funds are being used to capitalize a revolving loan fund from which the BFC will provide loans and sub-grants to support cleanup activities for sites contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum.
Applications for projects located in Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Gadsden, Liberty and Franklin counties will be considered for funding. Please call 850-891-2476 for more information.
More About the Revolving Loan Fund & Forms (PDF)
Success Stories
Cleanup Grant Success Story: G Street-Salie Property:
During 2011 and 2012, the City used EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant funds to remediate a vacant property on Gaines Street, which led to the successful redevelopment of "The Deck" - an active retail/apartment complex that is expected to add $21.8 million in new value when it is added to the tax rolls.
Revolving Loan Fund Success Story: City of St. Marks:
In April, leaders from the City of Tallahassee and the City of St. Marks gathered at a brownfields site in St. Marks to celebrate a partnership that will clean up the St. Marks Refinery site and allow redevelopment. The partnership will contribute to the resolution of a long-term environmental issue in an ecologically sensitive area of the St. Marks River Watershed. And there will be direct economic benefits to construction and design contractors located in Tallahassee, and Leon and Wakulla counties. Upon completion of these activities, the "St. Marks Innovation Park" will accommodate commercial and retail establishments and enhance economic development in the small community.