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NACOG Brownfields grant seeks site nominations; Coconino moves to remediate historic jail footprint
Summary
A $1.5 million EPA Brownfields Assessment grant managed by NACOG is funding Phase I/II site assessments and reuse planning across northern Arizona. County and contractor representatives urged property nominations and described the board‑funded ABCA on the old county jail; EPA‑funded abatement bidding is planned to remove asbestos and other hazards
NACOG and the county briefed the Board of Supervisors on an EPA Brownfields Assessment grant and the county’s ongoing brownfields work on the historic courthouse/jail site.
NACOG grant overview: A contractor working with NACOG described the $1.5 million EPA brownfields grant that covers northern Arizona (Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai and Mohave counties). The grant pays 100% of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, hazardous‑building‑material surveys and site reuse planning for eligible commercial and multiunit properties (public or private). Property owners may nominate sites using a two‑page form available on the NACOG website; the coalition’s Brownfields Advisory Committee prioritizes awards and anticipates money will run out before the full four‑year term if nominations continue at current rates.
Coconino old jail: Facilities staff reported that the county has completed Phase I and Phase II work and an Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) for the courthouse/jail parcel. The primary contaminants identified are asbestos, lead‑based paint and mold within building envelopes. Staff are finalizing procurement documents and expect to bid abatement and selective demolition in late fall/winter; the EPA grant includes funds for remediation and site reuse planning. The county intends to preserve the historic sandstone jail footprint where feasible and remove non‑historic additions to create a redevelopment opportunity that aligns with the facilities master plan.
Why it matters: Brownfields assessments lower barriers to investment by reducing uncertainty about contamination and cleanup costs; they have helped other local projects (Downtown Connection Center, Grand Canyon Oasis) attract large follow‑on investments and private redevelopment.
Action requested: Staff urged supervisors to publicize the NACOG nomination form to property owners and to identify county‑owned candidate parcels for assessment.
