St. Louis receives $500,000 from the EPA to assess and clean vacant brownfield properties

More than 10 neighborhoods in north St. Louis will see vacant lots assessed and cleaned up thanks to a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Mayor Tishaura Jones and St. Louis Community Development Administration leaders met with EPA leaders Thursday. The funding will go to the community development administration, which will administer the funds to assess and clean up Brownfield sites across 11 neighborhoods to reduce blight and environmental hazards.

“The short- and long-term impacts of this project will guide the transformation of vacant lots into productive spaces that spur economic growth and build community while making our neighborhoods safer and healthier,” Jones said.

Urban brownfield sites often contain hazardous materials such as asbestos or other chemical pollutants.

The grant money will go toward environmental site assessments where environmental professionals review public records of the site, inspect it and speak with previous owners or neighbors to learn its history.

If contamination is found, environmentalists will then identify the materials, sample the soil or groundwater and determine how far the contamination spread.

The grant also will go toward seven clean-up plans for properties on the city's northern corridor, including Chouteau's Landing and portions of the riverfront.