Brownfields Grant Site Success Stories

City of Apache Junction - Business Park
This 240-acre parcel of vacant state trust land was subject to wildcat dumping and possible contamination from nearby businesses. The City had plans to lease the land and build a business park in that area to create new jobs and strengthen tax revenues. During the Phase I environmental site assessment conducted in May 2010 by the Brownfields Program, it was determined that only small amounts of contaminants were present and that there were no off-site sources of contamination. No contaminants of concern were identified during the site assessment activities, and the information provided will allow the City to pursue their plans for redevelopment of this site.

City of Flagstaff - Phoenix Avenue Vacant Lot
This parcel in downtown Flagstaff, comprised of a vacant lot, a parking lot and a warehouse where railroad activities previously took place, was identified as an area of concern. During the Phase I environmental site assessment conducted by the Brownfields Program, a possibility of hazardous waste contamination due to the parcel's historical use was identified. The Brownfields Program conducted a Phase II site assessment in 2008 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. The Phase II site assessment identified a small amount of contamination in the form of polyaromatic hydrocarbons from previous railroad activities. The City received a $100,000 federal cleanup grant from EPA, and the cleanup activities were completed. The warehouse has been turned into a homeless shelter, and a city bus transit station was built. Planned future uses also include work with the Army Corps of Engineers on the Rio de Flag flood control realignment project. The redevelopment of this site has greatly benefited community by removing blight and cleaning up the environment, while addressing local transit needs and serving the homeless population.

City of Flagstaff - Transit Transfer Center
This site consists of four adjoining parcels of property in downtown Flagstaff involved in a major redevelopment project called the Mountain Line Multi-Modal Transfer Center. This redevelopment project is a collaborative effort between the City of Flagstaff and the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority. The redeveloped site will act as a transit hub in which passengers can easily access all primary business, residential, educational, recreational, and retail centers in and around the Flagstaff region. The Brownfields Program conducted a Phase I environmental site assessment and updated an asbestos survey in August 2010. The finished project will include a four-level parking garage that will provide 266 parking spaces to reduce downtown congestion.

City of Flagstaff - Wildcat Hill WWTP
Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility's biosolids processing area received a Phase I environmental site assessment from the ADEQ Brownfields Program in July 2010. The results of the Phase I showed that there were no contaminants of concern. The City has been researching other methods of processing these wastes and would like to move toward renewable energy production at the site. The City of Flagstaff has also applied for an Environmental Impact Statement and Feasibility Study for the renewable energy production from the Bureau of Land Management.

City of Globe - New Library
This site is comprised of three properties with buildings dating back from the early 1900s to 1970. One of the buildings houses the City's current public library. The City's future plans for the three properties are to demolish all the buildings in order to construct a new larger and modernized library to accommodate the City's growing population. The Brownfield's Program conducted asbestos surveys on the buildings in July 2010 in preparation for their demolition. The completed surveys provided the City with the information needed to proceed with an asbestos cleanup.

Huachuca City - Camp Naco (Camp Newell)
This historical site was gifted from a private entity to Huachuca City. Camp Newell in Naco, Arizona is the only surviving Buffalo Soldier fort left on the U.S. Mexican Border. The roofs on the buildings are made of asbestos-containing transite. The Brownsfield Program provided the needed cleanup funds in March 2010 so that the asbestos could be removed from the Community Center building as well as some open areas where it has been observed on the ground surface. The cleanup was done under the oversight of the Voluntary Remediation Program. Restorative efforts can now continue for this and the remainder of the buildings on the original Camp property.

City of Show Low - Library
At this four parcel site in Show Low, two of the parcels were identified as a potentially affected area. Of the four parcels: two were residential, one was a transportation business, and the other a bulk fuel storage facility. The City sought to redevelop these parcels into a new city library. During the Phase I environmental site assessment conducted by the Brownfields Program, it was determined that there was a possibility of petroleum contamination due to the historical uses. A Phase II environmental site assessment was conducted in 2009 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. The completed assessment provided the City with the information needed to conduct cleanup and redevelopment activities. The new library opened in August 2010. The redevelopment of these parcels as the City's new library will be of great benefit for downtown Show Low and its residents.

City of St. Johns - City Hall
At this donated property in St. Johns, prior activities were identified as a cause for concern for the City as they took ownership of the property. During the Phase I environmental site assessment possible solvent and petroleum contamination were identified due to the site's historical use as a gas station and car dealership. The Brownfields Program conducted a Phase II site assessment in 2009 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. A small amount of petroleum-related contaminants were found. The completed assessment activities provided the City with the information needed to proceed with cleanup. In September 2010, the Brownfields Program provided a cleanup grant for the abatement of asbestos in the two buildings so that future construction of a new City Hall building may begin.

City of St. Johns - Cemetery
On a vacant parcel of land adjacent to the cemetery in St. Johns, construction waste materials were identified as a cause for concern. A Phase II environmental site assessment was performed by the Brownfields Program in 2008 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. The completed site assessment identified no contaminants of concern and the City was able to safely remove the construction debris from the site. Cleaning up this dump site and addressing the environmental concerns allowed for a much needed expansion of the City's cemetery.

City of Surprise - Water Recharge Site
On this former farming property in Surprise, lead paint, asbestos and hazardous substance contamination was identified as a cause for concern. The City of Surprise plans to use this abandoned farm maintenance yard as a portion of their Special Planning Area Water Reclamation Facility. A Phase II environmental site assessment was conducted in 2009 by the Brownfields Program. No contaminants of concern were identified during the site assessment activities in this groundwater recharge area. The completed assessment provided the City with the information needed to develop this much needed recharge area to help ensure an adequate future supply of stored potable water for its citizens. The completion of this project is anticipated in 2011.

City of Willcox - Airport
At this airport in Willcox, prior activities created a cause for concern. During the Phase I environmental site assessment conducted by the Brownfields Program, a possibility of solvent and or petroleum contamination due to airport activities was identified. The Brownfields Program conducted a Phase II site assessment in 2009 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. The completed site assessments identified no contaminants of concern. Therefore, no clean up of the site was required. The city requested Brownfields Program assistance in anticipation of purchasing the 960-acre airport from Cochise County. The city plans to continue to use it as an airport and will improve runways and buildings and access to the site.

City of Winslow - Standin' on the Corner Park
At this half-acre park along historic Route 66 in Winslow, the building adjacent to the park was identified as an area of concern. During the Phase I environmental site assessment conducted by the Brownfields Program, possible asbestos contamination was identified as a result of a fire that destroyed the adjacent building on which the park's mural was painted. A Phase II site assessment was conducted by the Brownfields Program in 2006 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. The Phase II site assessment confirmed the presence of asbestos, as well as small quantities of total petroleum hydrocarbons and metals in the soil. The Brownfields Program provided grant funding for clean up activities, and the mural wall was stabilized. The cleanup activities were completed and the park has re-opened for tourism and public use.

City of Winslow - Gorman Avenue Vacant Lot
On this vacant site near historic Route 66 in Winslow, construction waste materials were identified as a cause for concern. A Phase II environmental site assessment was performed by the Brownfields Program in 2007. Since no recognized environmental conditions were identified in the previously done Phase I site assessment, only a geophysical survey was conducted. The completed site assessment provided the City with the information needed to prepare the site for redevelopment. Planned uses of the site include, mixed residential housing with low income housing units, a detox center to be part of the adjacent Indian Health Services Hospital, and an expansion of the municipal cemetery.

City of Winslow - Former Wood Treatment Facility
This privately owned site was a former wood treatment facility and currently consists of several buildings with an outdoor storage area for lumber and scrap metal. The City intends to work with the current landowner to redevelop the property as a vocational training facility specializing in welding, which will provide vital job training to the citizens of Winslow. The Phase I environmental site assessment was conducted in May 2010 by the Brownfields Program to determine if the site had been contaminated by prior site activities. The Brownfields Program conducted a Phase II site assessment in September 2010 to determine the levels and locations of contamination.

Town of Youngtown - Former Public Works Yard
This former public works yard owned by the Town was cause for concern because of historical activities at the site. Youngtown wanted to position the property for sale and/or redevelopment as commercial property, so a Phase I environmental site assessment was done by the Brownfields Program in July 2010. The results of the Phase I showed that there were no contaminants of concern.

Yuma County - Adair Park Archery Range
At this 502-acre park in the City of Yuma, 40 acres were identified as a potentially affected area of the park. This area was a historical ore milling site. During the Phase I environmental site assessment conducted by the Brownfields Program, lead was identified as the potential contaminant of concern at the park. The Brownfields Program conducted a Phase II site assessment in 2005 to determine the levels and locations of contamination. The results of the Phase II site assessment allowed Yuma County to develop a remediation strategy that would allow the park to re-open to the community. A $200,000 federal EPA grant was awarded for the cleanup activities at the park. The cleanup activities were completed, and the park has re-opened for use by the public.