By Darren Svan | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The Environmental Protection Agency awarded Shreveport a $1 million grant to assess and clean up contamination at vacant industrial properties near downtown that city officials say have redevelopment potential.
The Brownfields Multipurpose Grant is a federally funded program that allows municipalities to pay for environmental studies and clean up potentially contaminated properties under a single program, according to the EPA.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux told The Center Square that he anticipates that the grant will fully fund the work, allowing the city to avoid dipping into city funds for investigative or remediation activities.
The target area includes the former D’Anna Produce site and eligible properties in the Cross Bayou and Ledbetter Heights areas.
“We are aware of the south side of Cross Bayou, near the convention center, areas that from a historical standpoint have some contamination and we want to remediate for future development,” Arceneaux said. “Even if they don’t have environmental issues, we can certify that there are no problems and make it available for productive use.”
Once cleaned up or certified free of contamination, the sites could attract redevelopment because investors would not have to budget for environmental remediation.
Investors want to know if remediation is necessary, Arceneaux said, adding that he envisions offering a larger tract to investors that includes the city-owned D’Anna Produce site combined with additional acreage the city is considering purchasing.
“Not necessary for industrial development but economic development,” he said. “From time to time there’s has been interest in development along Cross Bayou. Assembling a larger tract is important to the people we’ve had some discussions with.”
The city will work with EPA and local partners to complete the grant process and identify next steps.
“As soon as we get the money, we’re going to get to work,” Arceneaux said. “We want to put property in commerce that is not currently in commerce.”