About 30 sites eligible for ‘brownfield’ cleanup

Friday, Feb. 16, 2001 | 10:23 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- An estimated 30 Clark County "brownfields" -- abandoned, contaminated industrial sites -- could be eligible for cleanup and development under a new bill in Congress.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other lawmakers on Thursday touted a bill that would set aside $200 million for grants or loan programs to assess and revitalize brownfields nationwide. The legislation could spark redevelopment and clean up pockets of urban blight, create jobs, and increase city tax revenues by raising property values, Reid said.

Reid pointed to the former site of a National Guard Armory at Eastern and Stewart avenues. As part of a first-of-its-kind program, the Environmental Protection Agency set up a $500,000 revolving loan fund to pay for the property restoration. The diesel-slicked site was cleaned up and the ugly gray building razed. Now a cultural center and possibly a senior center and retail stores are planned for the spot.

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