September 26, 2022
By Cindy Blot, Senior Associate
On May 12, 2022, the City of South Gate (“City”) was awarded a $500,000 Citywide Brownfields Assessment Grant from the United States Environment Protection Agency (“EPA”). The grant will be utilized to support redevelopment efforts focusing on three main corridors in the City of South Gate.
Environmental justice is a high priority for South Gate and many other communities that have experienced disproportionately more blight due to the presence of Brownfields, and it is a focus of the City’s Economic Development Strategy prepared by RSG in June 2018. A revitalized Brownfield site reduces threats to human health and the environment, creates green jobs, promotes community involvement, and attracts investment in local neighborhoods. Cleaning and reusing contaminated properties provide the catalyst to improving the lives of residents living in or near brownfields communities.
A Brownfield includes real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Brownfields initiatives demonstrate how environmental protection and economic development work hand-in-hand. This funding will help South Gate’s efforts in transforming underutilized properties into community assets while providing a boost for the economy through the creation of green jobs.
RSG assisted the City with the assessment and analysis of vacant properties, followed by a comprehensive application and reuse plan. RSG will work as a trusted advisor during the assessment, reuse, and potential funding leverage efforts to support EPA funding and redevelopment. RSG’s efforts included coordinating strong leadership, assembling a team of committed partners, engaging with the citizens, and carefully assessing how to make the best use of limited local dollars so that initial local investments will leverage additional funding.
The EPA grant selection committee stated that the application was outstanding and obviously showed a tremendous commitment of time and energy. RSG is proud to have led the coordinating efforts and writing of the EPA grant on behalf of the City of South Gate.
Since its inception in 1995, EPA’s Brownfields Program has worked to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize brownfield sites. We fully expect that these brownfield projects will provide benefits to the environment and economy of South Gate.
The current round of EPA Brownfields funding closes in November. If your jurisdiction is interested in applying for an EPA Brownfield Grant, or need assistance evaluating a grant submission, please contact Cindy Blot at (714) 316-2118.