Federal grant awarded to study brownfield impact in Chickamauga, LaFayette, Rossville
WALKER COUNTY, Ga. — Walker County and the cities of Chickamauga, LaFayette and Rossville will share a $500,000 grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform brownfield assessments and develop cleanup plans on up to 30 sites.
A release says a number of sites will be assessed with redevelopment in mind. They include the Crystal Springs Print Works Mill in Chickamauga and the former Peerless Woolen Mills in Rossville.
Redevelopment plans for these sites could include affordable housing and commercial storefronts, as well as green space. “Brownfield redevelopment will promote economic success for these communities, including new employment opportunities, increased property values and additional tax revenue, which will help to provide improved health outcomes and quality of life,” said Shannon Whitfield, Chair, Walker County Board of Commissioners.
“These sites are primed for redevelopment due to their city center locations,” said Elizabeth Wells, Economic Development Consultant, LaFayette/Rossville. “But, environmental contamination and the cost of cleanup have inhibited site reuse. Through environmental assessment and site-specific risk screening, these properties can be cleared for redevelopment.”
The grant includes funding to contract with an environmental consultant to assist with the brownfield assessments, which will begin later this year.
A plan for each site identified for cleanup will be developed to include an evaluation of cleanup alternatives, calculated cleanup costs, and site appropriate remediation and reuse to reduce health and environmental risks.
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