The ADEQ is awarding a $4,000 grant under its Brownfields Grant Program to the City of Show Low to help the city develop 4 land parcels for a new library.
Three of the parcels are currently owned by the city & the 4th is privately owned. The city is negotiating the purchase of the 4th parcel, subject to the outcome of its Phase I environmental site assessment of the site.
A transportation business with a garage & a bulk fuel storage facility were located on 2 of the 4 sites. The Brownfields grant money will be used for a preliminary evaluation of whether the parcels are contaminated by petroleum products or solvents. The addresses of the parcels are 181 & 201 N. Ninth Street, 1041 E. Hall Street & 180 N. 11th Street.
The assessment will be used to determine if further study or cleanup is needed. Additional funding will be made available through the ADEQ Brownfields Program to Show Low if it is determined that a more detailed environmental site assessment is required & the parcels are eligible. The city wants to build a new library on the site.
"We are delighted to assist Show Low with this very important project," Director Owens said. "This is an important 1st step toward putting this property into productive use for the benefit of the community. There development of these parcels as the City's new library will be a great asset to the citizens of Show Low. Once the environmental issues have been addressed, the City will be able to purchase the 4th parcel & construct the library."
The grant is being awarded on behalf of the City of Show Low. ADEQ will serve as the project manager & will hire the contractor to perform the site assessment work.
A Brownfield is an abandoned or under-used property with an active redevelopment potential that suffers from known or perceived environmental contamination.