Scope

The City of Dallas's Brownfields Redevelopment Program (BRP) mission is to address environmental obstacles that can hinder revitalization of community development in core neighborhoods. The program also aims to drive sustainable economic growth to ensure a safe, clean environment, and improved quality of life for Dallas residents.

The BRP Program provides a path for community and government entities to voluntarily conduct environmental assessments, surveys, and clean up properties that may be contaminated with hazardous or petroleum wastes.

The BRP prioritizes projects that promise to support neighborhood revitalization or restoration efforts, using the following as a guide for allocating resources to community stakeholders:

• Protection of Human Health and the Environment
• Environmental Justice
• Community Involvement & Partnerships
• Urban Smart Growth Principles
• Results Oriented
• Sustainability goals

Objectives

The BRP objectives include the following:

• Accept, identify & assess priority sites and Identify clean up options
• Clean up contaminated sites as applicable
• Prepare sites for redevelopment
• Encourage site reuse & revitalization projects
• Help to reduce health threats to residents from exposure to contaminants
• Focus on sites with greatest redevelopment potential
• Focus on the feasible high-impact projects and provide Technical Assistance

The BRP Program , utilizing key partnerships, local and federal funding, aims to offer developers and community stakeholders , the following services in support of redevelopment efforts:

• Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments
• Regulated building material Surveys
• Cleanup planning and Cleanup
• Education and Regulatory Guidance
• Community Engagement
• Technical Assistance
• Project Financing Strategies(associated with EPA cleanup grants)

Program Status

In May 2020, the City of Dallas was awarded an EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment (BCA) Grant to revitalize vacant and underutilized brownfield properties in three priority focus areas: (1) Fair Park Campus, (2) St. Philip's School and Community Center, and (3) MLK Corridor. The BCA grant provided funding for the following :

• Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments
• Regulated building material Surveys
• Cleanup planning
• Regulatory Guidance
• Community Outreach and Engagement

The FY2020 EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment (BCA) Grant has successfully utilized and implemented all grant funds ahead of the September 2023 grant term deadline. The grant is currently at the closeout stage.

The following accomplishments have been realized under the EPA Brownfields Coalition Assessment (BCA) Grant:

• 11 “Project/Site” Nominations received. These sites Include 82 properties spanning 58 acres with proposed redevelopment plans for housing, commercial development, parks & recreation, community services, and interest from other stakeholders
  
• Completed assessment activities at 8 sites out of 8 EPA approved sites
• Completed 45 US. EPA Property Eligibility Determination (PED) Request completed a total of 31 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) and 15 Phase II ESAs with 1 Regulated Building Material (RBM) Survey and 1 Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCAs) and/or Cleanup/Reuse Plan under consideration
• Formed a Brownfield Advisory Committee (BAC) and Coalition Partner’s group facilitating at 4 quarterly Meetings.

 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $1.5million in brownfield grant funding to the City of Dallas on May 25, 2023. The City of Dallas received $1,000,000 for a Revolving Loan Fund ( RLF) Grant, and $500,000 for a Community-wide Assessment (CWA) Grant . These brownfields grants provide funding for assessment and cleanup of Brownfields sites in targeted and core Dallas neighborhoods .

• Community-wide Assessment (CA) Grant – (Grant term- FY23 - FY27)
• Provides funding for the following: Brownfields inventory,  Phase I and Phase II site assessments, Regulated Building Materials Survey (RBM), Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA), and Site remediation planning
  
• Funding is available for publicly- and privately-owned properties in need of environmental site assessment and cleanup
• Eligibility is based on EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) guidelines- https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/information-sites-eligible-brownfields-funding-under-cercla-ss-104k
• Revolving Loan Fund Grant – (Grant term- FY23 - FY28)
• Provides funding for site cleanup and community revitalization
• Funding is provided via low-cost loans and subgrants
• Funding is available for publicly- and privately-owned properties in need of environmental site assessment and cleanup
• Eligibility is based on EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) guidelines - https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/information-sites-eligible-brownfields-funding-under-cercla-ss-104k

The implementation stage for bot the RLF and CWA Grants will begin on October 1, 2023. 

These revitalization efforts are intended to provide benefits to the community, including job creation, increased property values, environmental restoration, and reduced health risks.

These revitalization efforts are intended to provide benefits to the community, including job creation, increased property values, environmental restoration, and reduced health risks.

types of grants available

Community Wide Assessment Grant

The Community Wide Assessment Grants (CWA) are funds granted to the City of Dallas by the EPA that allows recipients to assess sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum), and/or petroleum. 

Additional Assessment Grant Information: EPA Assessment Grant Information

Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant

The Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grants are funds granted to the City of Dallas by the EPA that allows recipients to address brownfield sites contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants (including hazardous substances co-mingled with petroleum), and/ or petroleum. 

Additional RLF Grant Information: EPA RLF Grant Information

Environmental Justice (EJ) Funds

The Environmental Justice Funds are leverage funds available to the Brownfields Program, provided by the City of Dallas, to assess or clean-up brownfield sites in CORE City neighborhoods.

How to Apply

Please note that one application form is being used to assess your qualifications for the above grants/funds:

Application: Application for Grants, Loans, and Subgrants.pdf

Please fill out this application and email it to brownfields@dallas.gov or ngozi.nwosu@dallas.gov. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Property Owners Fact Sheet: Property Owner Fact Sheet.pdf

Community Member Fact Sheet: Community Member Fact Sheet 110123.pdf

Cleanups in My Community Map: Cleanup Map

EnviroAtlas: EPA EnviroAtlas Map

EPA Facility Registry Service: EPA FRS

RESOURCE LIBRARY 

The purpose of this resource library is to provide any additional educational information related to brownfields or other various brownfield-related programs within the City of Dallas. If you would like more information on any other topic, please feel free to reach out and we can add it to the website. Similarly, if you have anything that you would like added to our resource library, please contact us. 

EPA Success Stories

Brownfields 101.pptx

Brownfield Curious, Unearthing Potential of Brownfields for Environmental Justice.pdf

Brownfields Eligibility and Liability.pptx

Brownfields to Brightfields

Beloved Community Equity at Work.pdf

Participant Support Costs and Advisory Council Costs Similarities and Differences.pdf

Equitable Development Toolkit