Metropolitan Council Awards $3.6 Million in Brownfield Cleanup Grants

Communities awarded are Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Roseville, South St. Paul and St. Paul

ST. PAUL—Jan. 25, 2006--The Metropolitan Council today approved more than $3.6 million in Livable Communities grants for polluted site clean up in seven Twin Cities communities, including Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Roseville, South St. Paul and St. Paul. Sixteen projects were awarded funding.

To be eligible to apply and compete for funding, cities must participate in the Livable Communities program, now in its 11th year. More than 100 metro area communities participate in the program, which also provides funding for housing affordable to households with low and moderate incomes, and for development that promotes efficient land use and links housing, jobs, transit and services.

“Redevelopment of older areas of the region has been greatly advanced by this program,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “To date, the Council has awarded more than $59 million in grants for the clean up of hundreds of acres of polluted land, which has created jobs, increased net tax capacity and leveraged millions in private investment.”

If all of the new redevelopment projects in the current grant round are completed, they will result in clean-up of 96 acres, $3.9 million in additional tax capacity and 1,440 new jobs.

Polluted site clean up grants awarded include:

Twin Lakes, Roseville--$692,200 to clean up petroleum-related chemical contamination on a 45.5-acre site at Cleveland Ave. and W. County Road C. The site is part of a larger proposed 175-acre mixed-use commercial and residential redevelopment.
Globe Building Site, St. Paul--$600,000 to clean up tar and chemical contamination, and remove fuel storage tanks, on a six-acre site in the 1100 block of E. 7th St. The redevelopment plan proposes office/warehouse development and mixed-use redevelopment.
Industrial Park, Phase III, Columbia Heights--$292,900 for clean up of foundry waste and removal of asbestos on a 6.3-acre site at 3755 5th St. The proposed end use is 260 owner-occupied, high-density lofts and town homes.
School Bus Facility, Hopkins--$290,000 for excavation and disposal of solid waste at a former public landfill in the city. The school district plans to locate a bus terminal on the 6.6-acre site.
Washington Ave. N. 714-718, Minneapolis--$275,000 to abate asbestos and lead-based paint in a former warehouse on a half-acre site. Redevelopment will include retail, commercial services and live/work housing units.
Midtown Exchange/Sears, Minneapolis--$243,000 to abate asbestos and lead-based paint at the 3.3-acre mixed-use redevelopment at Chicago and Lake Avenues.
Nicollet and 38th St., Minneapolis--$221,400 for contaminated soil disposal from the half-acre site. Proposed redevelopment includes retail, office space and ownership condominiums.
Humboldt Industrial Park, Minneapolis--$207,000 to clean up petroleum-related contamination and pesticides on a 10-acre site at 2601 49th Ave. N. The proposed redevelopment is a 125,000-square-foot single-story office/warehouse building.
Washington Court Apartments, Minneapolis--$200,000 for soil remediation at the 1.7-acre site at 2101 Washington St. NE. The proposed redevelopment is a 38-unit apartment building for households with low to moderate incomes.
Sholom Home Alliance, St. Paul--$150,000 to fund a vapor barrier at the site of a former petroleum bulk storage facility on a three -acre site at W. Seventh St. and Otto Ave. The redevelopment is for senior housing, including independent living, assisted living and a nursing home.
Salvation Army Booth/Brown House, St. Paul--$136,000 for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement in a building used to house homeless youth. The renovation will allow the Salvation Army to expand and provide improved housing services to homeless youth.
Armour Gates, South St. Paul--$90,900 to clean up contaminated soils and groundwater at the four-acre site at 400 Hardman Ave. S., a former animal processing facility. The proposed redevelopment is for single-level office/warehouses.
River Park Lofts, St. Paul--$79,800 for soil remediation and asbestos/lead-based paint abatement on the one-acre site at 245 E. Sixth St. The proposed redevelopment would convert the Park Square building into 122 condominiums and rehabilitate part of the adjacent parking garage.
Old Swedish Bank, St. Paul--$79,300 to abate asbestos and lead-based paint at a former bank at 965 Payne Ave. The building is proposed for renovation and rental to local businesses.
Village Creek III, Brooklyn Park--$73,900 to clean up soil and groundwater contamination on the 15-acre site at Brooklyn Blvd. and Zane Ave. The redevelopment will include two- to four-story buildings with retail and offices on the lower floors and housing on the upper floors.
Greenway Terrace, Minneapolis--$12,800 for soil clean-up at a .4-acre site at 2850 Cedar Ave. The proposed redevelopment is a three-story, 26-unit condominium building.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Minnesota Governor.

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