Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup Plan

What is a Brownfield?

A brownfield is a piece of land that has been used in the past for businesses or industry, but now may have environmental concerns—like possible contamination from chemicals, fuel, or other materials. These concerns can make it harder for someone to buy, sell, or reuse the property.

Not every brownfield is dangerous, but testing is needed to find out what’s there. Once the property is understood and a plan is made, it can often be safely cleaned up and put back into use for new businesses, housing, or community spaces.

Why This Matters

Brownfields can hold back growth in our community. Vacant or contaminated properties may lower nearby property values, discourage new businesses, and create safety concerns.

By assessing and planning for cleanup, Mt. Vernon is:

• Protecting health and safety by identifying and addressing environmental risks.
• Encouraging investment by making sites more attractive for redevelopment.
• Revitalizing neighborhoods by turning unused spaces into opportunities for housing, jobs, or community projects.
• Strengthening our future by removing barriers to growth and making Mt. Vernon more welcoming for residents, visitors, and businesses.

Project Overview

The City of Mt. Vernon received a $500,000 Brownfield Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2025. This funding allows the City to study properties that may have environmental concerns and prepare them for future redevelopment.

With this grant, the City will:

• Conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (historical and records research to identify possible contamination).
• Conduct Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (collecting soil, water, or building samples to confirm if contamination is present).
• Develop cleanup and reuse plans for key sites, making them ready for private or public investment.
• Provide regular updates and opportunities for the community to participate throughout the process.

Sites Under Review

The Brownfield Assessment Grant will focus on several properties in Mt. Vernon that have been vacant for many years. These sites are located in and around South 10th Street, an area with a history of industrial and commercial activity.

By studying these properties, the City can:

• Understand whether contamination is present.
• Plan for cleanup if needed.
• Explore opportunities to return these properties to productive use, such as housing, retail, community spaces, or other development.

Additional sites may be added to the project over time, based on community input and City priorities.

Community Involvement

Community input is a key part of the Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup Planning process. The City of Mt. Vernon wants to ensure residents, business owners, and community organizations all have a voice in shaping the future of these sites.

Ways you can get involved include:

• Public Meetings – Opportunities to learn about the project and share feedback.
• Surveys – Quick and easy ways to tell us what matters most to you.
• Project Updates – Regular updates and documents will be posted on this page for transparency.

Your feedback will help guide decisions about site reuse and redevelopment, ensuring the outcomes reflect the needs and vision of the community.

Next Steps

The Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup Planning project is just getting started. Here’s what you can expect moving forward:

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments – Reviewing site history and records to identify potential concerns.
• Phase II Environmental Site Assessments – Conducting soil, water, and air testing where needed to confirm conditions.
• Cleanup Planning – Developing strategies for safe and effective reuse of the properties.
• Ongoing Community Engagement – Continuing opportunities for residents to provide input and stay informed.

As the project progresses, updates, reports, and opportunities for involvement will be shared here to keep the community informed every step of the way.

Documents & Reports

As the project progresses, key documents will be shared here, including:

• Environmental site assessments
• Cleanup planning documents
• Community meeting materials and summaries
• Other project updates

(Links will be added as documents become available.)

Project Summary

The City of Mt. Vernon is committed to turning challenges into opportunities. Through the Brownfield Assessment and Cleanup Planning project, we are taking important steps to transform long-vacant properties into spaces that can support new businesses, housing, and community activities.

By working together with residents, businesses, and partners, we can remove barriers to redevelopment and build a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Mt. Vernon for years to come.