$6 million awarded to KC to transform abandoned properties into assets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Around $6 million in grant funds is headed to Kansas City to help local leaders transform abandoned and contaminated properties into community assets.
The City of Kansas City has announced that the Environmental Protection Agency has awarded leaders a $6 million grant to cleanup and revitalization efforts at contaminated properties. The move marks a major milestone in the ongoing work to transform underused land into vibrant community spaces.
As part of the national grant awards, City leaders said they expect to receive a $4 million Brownfields Grant to remediate nearly 50 vacant lots in the Washington Wheatley neighborhood and the former Benson Manufacturing site at 18th and Agnes.
According to the City, the grant is one of only eight awards that received the maximum amount possible. The targeted investment will help prepare sites for future redevelopment with a focus on affordable housing, economic opportunity and long-term neighborhood improvement.
City officials noted that another $2 million Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund Grant is set to expand the ability to provide low-interest loans and subgrants for the cleanup of other contaminated sites citywide.
“The $6 million EPA investment will accelerate our work transforming environmental challenges into neighborhood opportunities,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “With $4 million to clean up sites in Washington Wheatley and at 18th & Agnes, plus $2 million for our Revolving Loan Fund, we’re creating a pathway for affordable housing and economic growth—particularly east of Troost. Being one of only eight cities nationwide to receive a cleanup grant at this level recognizes Kansas City’s leadership in equitable community development through brownfields revitalization.”
Over the past 28 years, City leaders said they have received more than $40 million in federal grants to brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Transformative projects like the Zhou B Art Center, Faxon School Apartments and ALDI grocery store at 39th and Prospect were all made possible through this Brownfields funding.
“This funding allows us to move faster and smarter when it comes to transforming vacant properties into something that serves our neighborhoods,” said Mario Vasquez, City Manager of Kansas City. “These dollars will help us build affordable housing, create jobs, and deliver visible progress in communities that have historically been left behind. We’re grateful to the EPA for their partnership and proud to keep pushing forward on projects that make a difference block by block.”
City officials noted that the Brownfields Program plays an important role in making a contaminated or abandoned property into a community asset, from housing and retail space to parks and public facilities.
For more information about the grant funds, click HERE.
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