Governor Douglas Announces First Brownfields Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 29, 2005
Contact: David Mace
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
(802) 828-5229
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS AWARDS OVER $301,000 TO CITY OF MONTPELIER FOR BROWNFIELDS CLEANUP AND HOUSING PILOT PROJECT
MONTPELIER Governor Jim Douglas announced over $301,000 in Community Development Program grants to the City of Montpelier, including the first grant designed to help clean up and develop contaminated property.
Over half of this amount, $194,336, is the first award of Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) funds for the Governors Vermont Brownfields Initiative.
"I am very excited that these projects will help clean up a contaminated site for redevelopment within the downtown and create much needed affordable housing," Governor Douglas said.
The Vermont Brownfields Initiative was launched in April 2005 to expedite the clean-up and redevelopment of brownfields sites throughout the state.
It is a collaboration of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Agency of Natural Resources to bring together expertise in economic and community development as well as technical environmental review to bring forth well planned, properly financed projects that meet the needs of the community.
The brownfields project in Montpelier will be using VCDP funds along with $187,933 in leveraged funds to assist in the clean up of hazardous materials found in the soils of property on Stonecutters Way in downtown Montpelier. Redevelopment and reuse of the cleaned-up property within two years is a requirement of the grant.
The other award to the City of Montpelier, $106,700, will be used to initiate a pilot program called the One More Home Campaign, which will provide technical assistance and incentive grants to single family homeowners who are interested in adding accessory apartments within their homes or within a detached structure on their lot.
The ultimate goal of the pilot program is to increase the stock of affordable housing throughout the city, consistent with the Governor's Homes For Vermonters draft proposal.
Governor Douglas stressed the dedication of community leaders and volunteers who work cooperatively with the State of Vermont to support and improve the quality of life for Vermonters.
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development awards the competitive grants, based on recommendations of the Vermont Community Development Board and approval of Secretary Kevin Dorn.
2005 Cycle III Implementation Grants
$301,036 City of Montpelier: Grant to fund the One More Home Campaign, a public service program to provide technical assistance to single family homeowners to add accessory apartments to their homes. Grant to remediate brownfield sites at the former Salt Shed and adjacent Turntable Park on Stone Cutters Way. The remediation will enable redevelopment and re-use of both sites.
For additional information about the Governors Vermont Brownfields Initiative, please see the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website at: http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/brownfields/index.htm. For information about the Vermont Community Development Program, please see the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website at: http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/VCDP/index.htm