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NACOG brownfields grant presentation highlights free environmental assessments for historic properties
Summary
A NACOG Route 66 Brownfields Assessment Grant presentation informed the commission that property owners in four Northern Arizona counties can apply for free Phase I/II environmental assessments and hazardous‑building‑material surveys to support reuse of historic properties.
Commissioners heard a presentation on a regional brownfields assessment grant that can help owners of historic downtown properties obtain free environmental assessments and hazardous‑materials surveys.
Dave Laney of Stantec outlined the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG) $1.5 million EPA‑funded Route 66 Brownfields Assessment Grant covering Navajo, Coconino, Yavapai and Mohave counties. Laney said the grant pays for Phase I and, when needed, Phase II environmental site assessments and hazardous building‑materials surveys (asbestos, lead‑based paint) and can be used for public and private properties. "This assessment is free," Laney told the commission, explaining the site‑nomination form is two pages and typically takes 5–10 minutes to complete.
Laney showed examples of historic preservation uses of the grant, including assessments on Holbrook’s Bucket of Blood Saloon and the Lehi Hotel in Kingman, which led to follow‑on redevelopment and structural work. He noted the program is voluntary and that EPA does not use the assessment process to trigger enforcement in typical cases; he emphasized the grant often reduces uncertainty that deters developers and lenders from investing in older buildings.
Commissioners asked whether the grant applies to tribal lands within the four counties and to privately owned properties; Laney said tribes and tribal land within the covered counties can use the program, though title and trust status may produce different administrative steps. He also encouraged commissioners to pass the site nomination form to local property owners and said staff could circulate the form to the commission.
Staff noted Flagstaff had used similar funds in earlier projects and that the Orpheum assessment is a recent local example. The commission requested staff follow up on the potential application of a brownfields assessment to local heritage priorities such as the May Hicks house and discussed grant tracking and inventory‑update needs during later general‑business items.
Laney offered to send site‑nomination forms to staff for distribution and urged commissioners and community members to nominate qualifying properties as the grant funding is limited and in high demand.
