Lake Worth CRA Brownfield Program
Brownfields are sites that are generally abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by actual or perceived environmental contamination. Lake Worth CRA wins EPA Environmental Assessment Grant
On June 1, 2004 the Lake Worth City Commission adopted Resolution 32-2004 designating the entire CRA district (518 acres of land) as a Brownfield area. In May 2006, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $200,000 Environmental Assessment Grant for petroleum based potentially contaminated sites. Sites that are eligible to compete for this funding include gas stations, auto repair shops and any property in which the perceived threat of petroleum contamination is present. The Lake Worth CRA was one of only two cities in the state of Florida to receive the grant, which was used to fund environmental assessments for public, or private entities interested in redeveloping or purchasing potentially contaminated sites.
The State of Florida Brownfield Program
Pursuant to the Florida Brownfield Redevelopment Act, the Florida Statutes provide for the ability of local governments to designate qualified areas as “Brownfields” for the purpose of environmental remediation, rehabilitation and economic development.
Brownfield Program Progress to Date
2008 APRIL 2008: CRA offers funding for property owners to conduct Phase I & Phase II environmental assessments and Cleanup Planning Assistance. Applicants must be approved for assistance by the CRA prior to conducting the assessment in order to qualify. NOVEMBER 2008: Half-day public workshop at the City Golf Course which provide property owners and lenders the opportunity to learn about financial incentives that the EPA and CRA can provide to those wishing to buy or sell property.
2007 Click here for a list of potentially contaminated properties within the CRA district. SEPT. 2007: Dr. Brad Peebles (Tetra Tech Inc.) is contracted by the CRA to assist with the implementation of the Brownfield Cooperative Workplan DEC. 2007: Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for environmental consultants is issued to conduct Phase I and Phase II assessments. LINK TO RFQ Volunteer based Brownfield Developer Solicitation and Education Team (BDSET) is created to help promote CRA initiatives and encourage smart growth in Lake Worth. Individuals interested in joining this team can email the CRA for more information.
2006 Lake Worth CRA is awarded $200,000 environmental assessment grant from the US EPA. Lake Worth CRA begins Brownfield incentive program. CRA staff attend national and state Brownfield conferences to help promote our initiative.
2005 Did you know that you could be eligible for a $2,500 tax refund for each new job created by an eligible business? Many incentives are offered at the local, state and federal level of governments to promote economic development: Links to Additional Brownfield Information and Incentives
Florida Brownfield Association: www.floridabrownfields.org/
Palm Beach County: www.pbcgov.com/pzb/Planning/brownfield/brown_new.htm
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council: www.tcrpc.org/Brownfields/home.html
Florida DEP: www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/brownfields/default.htm
Enterprise Florida: www.eflorida.com/
US EPA: www.epa.gov/brownfields/ |
Redevelopment helps to:
- recycle old property into active reuse - cleanup the environment - create jobs - increase the tax base Cleanup and redevelopment benefits the environment, the economy and the citizens!
Before After |
