STATE ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF BROWNFIELD SITES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson, who also serves as state development director, today announced that more than $1 million from the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund (COAF) has been awarded to two communities to conduct clean up activities at brownfield sites.

The Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District will receive a $742,500 grant for the clean up and remediation of the former Lazarus warehouse property located at 562 W. Whittier and 514 Furnace Street. The funds will be used for asbestos abatement, demolition and soil remediation on the 12.61-acre property that has an industrial history dating back to the late 1800s. This project is the first phase of the overall redevelopment of the Whittier Peninsula, which will eventually entail redevelopment of approximately 55 acres for mixed commercial and residential use, 15-20 acres of infrastructure development and an 80-acre Metro Park. The recipient has committed $438,389 in matching funds for the project.

The City of Greenville, located in Darke County, will receive a $275,000 grant for a Phase II Environmental Assessment of the former Corning Glass facility located at 1025 Martin Street. The funds will be used to complete approximately 70 direct push soil borings and 20 ground water monitoring wells, aquifer yield testing and ground water classification, data evaluation, modeling, a human health risk assessment, an ecological assessment and report preparation. The more than 34-acre property was used for commercial and industrial purposes since the mid-1950s. The Hughes Supply Company has agreed to relocate to the property upon the completion of environmental improvements, helping to retain approximately 140 positions and create 10 new jobs.

Funds from the $10 million COAF must be used for Phase I and II Environmental Assessments, brownfield redevelopment or public health projects. Projects located in situational distressed, inner distressed, distressed or labor surplus cities are eligible for funding. Projects are evaluated based on economic benefit; environmental improvement, including public health benefit; appropriateness and reasonableness of the proposed project and the financial condition of the community.