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Council accepts $3.5 million Virginia Business Ready Sites grant for West Radford Commerce Park cleanup
Summary
Radford City Council approved appropriation ordinance 18-02.22 to accept a $3.5 million Virginia Business Ready Sites Program grant to remove contaminated soil and concrete at the former Virginia Castings (Radford Foundry) site; the city met its required 25% match through property purchase price and utility upgrades, staff said.
Radford City Council approved an appropriation of $3,500,000 under the Virginia Business Ready Sites (VBRSP) Program to support remediation and site readiness work at the West Radford Commerce Park, the site formerly known as Virginia Castings or the Radford Foundry.
City staff described the project as a multi-year effort to remove contaminated soil and concrete and to prepare the property for future economic development. City Manager (Mr.) Meadows told the council there is a 25% match required by the grant but that the city has met that match through the purchase price of the property and planned utility upgrades, "so there is no cash outlay for that match," he said.
Council voted to appropriate the grant funds and dispensed with a second reading after receiving four affirmative votes. The appropriation directs staff to begin remediation planning and coordinate with VBRSP and environmental contractors to scope removal work and downstream site development activities.
Ending: Staff will finalize grant acceptance paperwork, begin environmental remediation planning, and report back to council on procurement and project timelines. Council members said the grant is a major step toward making the former foundry site shovel-ready for future employers and economic activity.
