City of Greenville - Brownfields Program

ABOUT

As a result of inventory efforts during the City of Greenville’s original EPA Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot Project, the City was able to identify more than fifty (50) potential brownfield sites in the West Greenville/Reedy River Corridor. These sites ranged from small (less than 1 acre) to large (greater than 20 acres), and included gas stations/service stations, dry cleaners, railroad sites, textile facilities, etc. Specifically, the decline of the textile industry in the area in the late 1900s, created a number of large industrial properties which sit abandoned or under-utilized because of uncertainty regarding their environmental condition.

Unfortunately, sites with known or suspected environmental contamination reduce the likelihood of commercial and industrial development in the area. This abandonment of the City’s original core has left the residents of the West Greenville/Reedy River Corridor with little hope for economic prosperity. Further, in the West Greenville area, nearly 15% of the housing units are vacant and many more are in need of significant repair. Over half of the homes are renter-occupied and only about one quarter are actually owned by residents of the community. The West Greenville/Reedy River-Corridor area of the City of Greenville has a population of 11,306 which accounts for approximately 20% of the total population of the City of Greenville which is 56,002 (2000 census data). At the time of the 2000 census minorities and specifically African Americans comprised 66% and 63% respectively of the population in the West Greenville/Reedy River Corridor area.

Known or suspected environmental concerns are halting development in the West Greenville/Reedy River Corridor area. The assessment and possible clean-up of these sites will provide more redevelopment opportunities that can be used to fuel new business and growth in the area thus creating jobs and reducing both the unemployment situation in the area as well as decreasing the poverty rate.

In May 2006 the City of Greenville was awarded an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant totaling $200,000. Grant activities began in October 2006 and the project will continue through September 2009. By assessing contaminated properties in Greenville, the City is quantifying the risks involved in redeveloping the properties to encourage property owners and developers to cleanup the sites and put them back into productive use. The City is working with property owners, environmental contractors, community and civic groups, citizens and other partners to identify and prioritize brownfield sites, assess contamination, conduct health monitoring and create cleanup and redevelopment plans at high-priority sites.

In addition to economic impacts, cleanup and redevelopment of these sites will reduce potential health impacts associated with the environmental contamination to the residents and their environment. Most importantly the City’s Brownfields Project will increase awareness of brownfield redevelopment issues for Greenville residents. This increased awareness on the impact of brownfield sites to the community, environment and public health will promote a healthier and cleaner environment and lifestyle for many of the community residents.