Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1 million in Brownfields grant funding to the City of Monte Vista, Colorado. The funds are earmarked for the cleanup of contaminants, environmental assessments, and redevelopment of key properties within the city. This investment is part of the EPA's Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) Grant Programs.
"EPA is proud to be supporting projects that will protect the health of residents and bring new redevelopment opportunities to the community," said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. He praised Monte Vista's strategic approach to revitalizing properties along its Main Street Corridor.
Senator Michael Bennet echoed this sentiment, stating, "This funding will rightfully support Colorado communities disproportionately affected by contamination." He added that these grants would help clean up polluted sites, protect public health, and stimulate job creation and economic opportunity.
Monte Vista City Hall was identified as the project’s first priority cleanup site. Built in 1932 and originally functioning as a hospital, it now houses City Government and the Police Department. The grant will address issues such as cracked stucco, leaking single-pane windows, lead paint, asbestos-containing floor and ceiling tiles, impacts from historical heating oil tanks, old x-ray equipment, and other hospital-related historical impacts.
The second priority site is an abandoned building along the Main Street Corridor. Originally built in the 1920s and most recently developed into a restaurant, it has been deemed too costly for developers to revitalize due to extensive repair costs. The EPA funding will be used for assessment and cleanup of asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, and mold in preparation for future redevelopment.
Monte Vista Mayor Dale Becker said that the grant funding would act as a catalyst for revitalization in their main commercial area. He expressed excitement about working with contractors and stakeholders to make these properties healthy and usable once again.
The City of Monte Vista is among six organizations in Colorado selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding through the MAC Grant Programs. Other recipients include the City of Greeley, the City of Northglenn, the Town of Kersey, Metro West Housing Solutions in Lakewood, and the City of Pueblo.
The EPA's Brownfields Program was initiated in 1995 and has since provided nearly $2.7 billion in grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. With President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program's yearly investment has increased by nearly 400 percent.