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EPA brownfields award will fund abatement at Fountain’s Lorraine Center; demolition costs likely separate
Summary
Economic development staff said a $1.5 million EPA Brownfields grant will pay for abatement and environmental remediation at the Lorraine Center; pre-bid estimates put subsequent demolition/removal at roughly $400,000 and city staff expect the brownfields work to take about three years to complete.
Economic development staff told the Fountain City Council an EPA Brownfields grant of $1.5 million has been incorporated into the 2026 budget to pay for environmental remediation and abatement work at the Lorraine Center.
Kimberly Bailey explained the grant is focused on hazardous-material abatement—removing asbestos, lead-based paint and other legacy contamination—and that the brownfields scope would likely leave an "open shell" at closeout. She said pre-bid estimates prepared to support the EPA application indicate demolition and removal after abatement could cost roughly $400,000, which would not be covered by the EPA award and is not currently in the 2026 budget cycle.
Scope and timing: Bailey said the brownfields process—from abatement through closeout with state and EPA sign-off—is expected to run nearly three years. While the EPA award addresses environmental cleanup, the city will need to plan for site security (fencing, patrols) during remediation and for any demolition costs that follow grant closeout.
Next steps: staff will track project timelines closely, solicit required demolition bids as the abatement schedule firms up, and return to council with supplemental requests if city funding for demolition or redevelopment is required.
