EPA Selects Newark, NJ to Receive $400,000 in Brownfield Grants to

Revitalize Blighted Properties and Promote Economic Redevelopment

Contact: Tayler Covington, covington.tayler@epa.gov, (212) 637-3662

(New York, N.Y. – April 25, 2018) Newark, New Jersey was among 144 communities selected for brownfields environmental Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup grants. Two grants totaling $400,000 will provide the community with funding to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 Chief of Staff Chris Lyon, and EPA Region 2 Acting Deputy Regional Administrator Walter Mugdan, announced the Newark grants at the old Berkowitz Fat Company site, for which some of the EPA Brownfield funds is slated. Newark Deputy Mayor, Director of Economic and Housing Development, Carmelo Garcia and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Brownfield Reuse Manager, Bill Lindner joined EPA in the announcement.

“EPA’s Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “These grants leverage other public and private investments, and improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment.”

“Brownfield grants are helping communities throughout our region unlock the unmet economic potential of contaminated and unused lands,” said EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez.  “EPA is pleased to be an active partner in promoting the cleanup and reuse of Brownfields properties. Once cleanup is complete, the site can be put to reuse with the potential to bring in valuable private sector development, jobs, and additional tax revenue.”

“We are excited and committed to the environment, Newark’s green future, as just last week we announced our 2020 sustainability action plan,” Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said. These funds will add great value to our plan in remediating Brownfields.”

Deputy Mayor, Director of Economic and Housing Development, Carmelo Garcia, said, “We’re excited to put these resources to use as part of our overall strategy as we’re currently cleaning up 35 acres of brownfields within the City. This will bring more jobs and a cleaner environment.”

The EPA has selected the City of Newark to receive a total of $400,000 in Brownfield grants:

Former Allen’s Amoco Site – $200,000

The $200,000 grant will be used to clean up the former Allen’s Amoco site located at 861-869 Clinton Avenue. The site operated as a gasoline station from around 1937 to 1991 when the structure was demolished and the site was abandoned.  It has remained vacant since then. Remnants of the gasoline station include six underground storage tanks and petroleum-contaminated soil and groundwater. Grant funds will be used to remove the underground storage tanks, clean up the contaminated soil and groundwater, and support community engagement activities. Reuse potential for the site includes either commercial development or creation of open space.

Former Berkowitz Fat Company Site – $200,000

Newark will use the $200,000 grant to clean up the former Berkowitz Fat Company site, which has been largely vacant since 2007. The one-acre site was a former meat rendering plant used to produce oils for paints, tallow for soaps, make-up, and other animal byproducts. Other historic site operations included improperly managed petroleum and chemical storage in 12 underground and aboveground storage tanks, resulting in discharges to the air, soil and groundwater. Grant funds will be used to remove the storage tanks, dispose of sludge, and support community engagement activities. The site’s anticipated reuse is industrial, taking advantage of its proximity to infrastructure such as major highways, rail, air, and a port.