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Orem closes EPA Brownfields grant cycle after studies to clear redevelopment uncertainty
Summary
City staff summarized results from a 2019 EPA Community-Wide Assessment (brownfields) grant that paid for Phase I/II environmental site assessments and market analyses for targeted corridors such as Geneva Road and State Street.
Matt Taylor, who managed Orem’s EPA brownfields grant, presented a final report to the council on Jan. 14, 2025, summarizing environmental assessments and outreach completed under the city’s 2019 Community-Wide Assessment grant.
Taylor said the EPA-funded work paid for Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments for willing property owners and for area-wide evaluations, including a preliminary assessment of a Union Pacific rail spur within city limits. The grant spent roughly $294,000 and contracted qualified environmental professionals to perform historic records review, site reconnaissance, soil and groundwater sampling where indicated, and market studies.
City staff said the grant aimed to reduce uncertainty that can depress property markets. Reported results included several Phase I/II studies that found either no significant contamination or only limited, manageable issues (for example, pesticide residues or small containers requiring targeted assessment). In some properties the Phase II results indicated the need for further, site-specific remediation planning; the grant did not fund Phase III remediation, which would be owner-responsible or require separate funding.
Taylor said projects funded included a city site (Farley Orchard) where Phase I/II work supported construction of a water tank; the Utah County Housing Authority used assessments to clear financing hurdles for senior housing; and private owners used reports to pursue transactions or to define remediation requirements. The Union Pacific spur assessment produced a ranking by segment to inform potential future discussions about acquisition or reuse.
Taylor said the city will publish the grant products (reports and maps) on a city web page so property owners, developers and the public can access the studies.
