Brownfields are real property, the expansion, development or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 awarded a $500,000 cooperative agreement to the City of Austin, Texas, through its Austin Resource Recovery division under the Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 66.818). The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029, funds comprehensive brownfield assessment and remediation activities across 14 connected census tracts on the east side of Austin, an area bounded by I-35, MLK Boulevard, Highway 183, and Highway 71.

Under this agreement, Austin Resource Recovery will conduct Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, inventory and characterize contaminated properties, develop cleanup alternatives and remediation plans, and perform regulated building material surveys for asbestos and lead-based paint. Specifically, the recipient will execute 22 Phase I assessments, 17 EPA-approved quality assurance project plans, 7 Phase II environmental site assessments, 10 regulated building material surveys, and 12 analysis of brownfields cleanup alternatives and reuse plans. The agreement also requires community engagement through 12 community meetings, quarterly progress reporting via the EPA's Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES), and competitive procurement of qualified environmental professionals as needed. No subawards are included in this assistance agreement.

This agreement will provide funding for city of austin, texas, austin resource recovery to conduct eligible assessment-related activities as authorized by comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability act (CERLCA) 104(K)(2) in the city of austin, texas supporting the east side of austin. Includes 14 connected census tracts (CT) east of downtown [ 08.01, 08.02, 09.01, 21.10, 21.11, 22.14, 23.10, 23.13, 23.15, 23.16, 23.20, 23.21, 23.25, and 23.27]. The TA is bisected by the colorado river and bound by I-35 to the west, MLK blvd to the north, HWY-183 to the east, and HWY-71 to the south. Activities:specifically, this agreement will provide funding to the recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup planning and community involvement related activities. Additionally, the recipient will competitively procure (as needed) and direct a qualified environmental professional to conduct environmental site activities. Also, the recipient will report on interim progress and final accomplishments by completing and submitting relevant portions of the property profile form using EPA's assessment, cleanup and redevelopment exchange system (ACRES). Subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:further, the recipient anticipates conducting 22 phase I, 17 EPA approved quality assurance project plans, and 7 phase II environmental site assessments, 10 regulated building material (asbestos, lead-based paint) surveys and 12 analysis of brownfields cleanup alternatives/remediation/reuse plans during a four-year performance period. Holding 12 community meetings, and submitting 12 quarterly reports. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners, and stakeholders in and near city of austin, texas.