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RDA approves application for $250,000 WEDC idle‑sites grant; Brownfields grants update provided
Summary
The RDA approved pursuing a WEDC idle‑sites grant of up to $250,000 for remediation and site preparation of the Fire Station Flats redevelopment; staff also reported on EPA Brownfields assessment, cleanup, and revolving‑loan programs and said the Brownfields RLF was extended through 2027.
The Redevelopment Authority voted to approve pursuit of a WEDC idle‑sites grant to help remediate and prepare the former Badger Sheet Metal site — branded in materials as "Fire Station Flats" — for redevelopment.
Rebecca, a city redevelopment/Brownfields staff member, told the board the idle‑sites grant can fund environmental cleanup, demolition, site prep and infrastructure. "We're looking to apply for the full $250,000 that's allowable under the grant guidelines," Rebecca said. The funds, if awarded, would supplement EPA cleanup work and help prepare the site for a proposed metro fire station, portable housing, community space and greenway in partnership with General Capital Group.
RDA members voted in favor of approving the resolution to apply and to forward the request to council for final consideration. The motion passed by voice vote.
Staff also provided the quarterly Brownfields update: the EPA assessment grant has been used to evaluate 13 properties; the EPA cleanup grant for the Badger Sheet Metal site has expended $61,422 so far on abatement, demolition and removal of underground storage tanks; and the Brownfields revolving loan fund (RLF) — originally scheduled to terminate in 2025 — has received a two‑year extension now through 2027, giving staff additional time to activate the loan program for remediation financing.
Staff said they will prepare additional grant applications to continue assessment and remediation work and will present project‑level grant spending details and next steps to RDA stakeholders as work continues.
