Gov. Blagojevich announces $300,000 in Opportunity Returns Brownfields Grant Funds for redevelopment in Broadview

BROADVIEW --- On behalf of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott announced today the Village of Broadview will be the recipient of $300,000 in Brownfields Stipulated Grant Funding to complete environmental cleanup at the former Broadview Quick Wash cleaners site located at 1301 Roosevelt Road.

 

"Illinois is leading the nation in environmental protection, and our Brownfields Program is making great strides in cleaning up abandoned properties and creating community assets," said Governor Blagojevich.  "With this funding, the Village of Broadview can work towards turning this property into a productive and beneficial addition to the local economy and putting more people to work."

 

These additional Brownfields funds will be used to conduct environmental cleanup activities at the abandoned site so the Village can ultimately acquire a comprehensive No Further Remediation (NFR) Letter necessary for redevelopment, as the site has considerable appeal to the Village and to residential and commercial developers because of its location in thriving Broadview. Illinois EPA previously provided a total of $240,000 in Muncipal Brownfields Redevelopment Grants to Broadview for a comprehensive environmental investigation and cleanup plan. In addition, the Village spent $200,000 to remove remaining structures and nine underground heating oil tanks at the site.

 

The new Stipulated Grant will enable the removal and proper disposal of 300 tons of soil at the site that was contaminated by solvents from the previous use of the property.

 

The Village is set to partner with a major local developer once the NFR is issued, for residential and retail development, including starting construction as early as this summer on luxury condominiums on the site.  The planned Broadview Plaza mixed residential/commercial development is considered critical to the viability of the Village's Roosevelt Road redevelopment initiative.  The project plans include 85 condominium units and 15,000 square feet of retail space.

 

Brownfields grants are awarded to Illinois municipalities for environmental assessments and cleanup of abandoned or underutilized properties in preparation for redevelopment.  The funding is being provided through the IEPA as part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor's comprehensive regional economic development strategy to create even better jobs and greater employment opportunities across Northeast Illinois.

 

"This project is an excellent example of how the state can work with local communities for both environmental and economic progress," said State Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford.

 

"I know how important this project is to Broadview and this loan to complete the environmental cleanup is the final piece in the puzzle for this exciting redevelopment," said State Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough.

 

"More and more, as the availability of affordable land decreases, officials are looking to brownfield sites as areas to redevelop," said Director Scott.  "As a former mayor, I know first hand that assistance such as the Brownfields Grants program can help make these developments a reality."

 

"This is a great day for the future of Broadview because redevelopment of this site has been a high priority for the Village and we appreciate the continued support from Governor Blagojevich and our ongoing strong partnership with the Illinois EPA," said Broadview Village President Henry Vicenik, who joined Director Scott, area legislators and other city and county officials at the former Quick Wash site today.

 

This is the fifth Brownfields Stipulated Grant to be awarded under funds received by Illinois EPA from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Under the state-funded Municipal Brownfields Redevelopment Grants, under which Broadview received the prior environmental assessment funding, 128 Illinois communities have received over $17 million, for environmental assessments and cleanups of Brownfields sites. That program began July 1, 1998.

 

Gov. Blagojevich's Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois' history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn't work, the governor has divided the state into 10 regions - each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial, and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to