Brownfields Grant

About the Brownfields Grant:
In 2021 the City of Mandan was awarded a $300,000 Brownfield Community-wide Assessment Grant to support the assessment, cleanup, and revitalization of vacant and underutilized sites throughout the City. Grant funds can be used to complete Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), Hazardous Building Material Surveys, cleanup planning, and a variety of property reuse planning activities. Funding is available through September 2024.

Program Goals:
The program is designed to assist property owners in understanding potential contaminants on their properties, such as mold, lead-based paint, asbestos, petroleum, and other hazardous materials. By identifying these issues, the assessments can support funding requests for site cleanup or redevelopment,

Grant funds can be utilized for various purposes, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental site assessments, hazardous building material surveys, and site/area reuse and cleanup planning. These activities are crucial in preparing properties for successful expansion or redevelopment.

2024 Grant Progress Update
The City of Mandan has received significant benefits from its Brownfields Assessment Grant. This program has involved seven properties, comprising both public and private sectors. Through collaboration with the US EPA, the City has secured technical assistance for key planning projects, including the Civic Center Plan and a study of Third Street in 2024. Additionally, the City has been invited to attend training conferences and actively participates in the Brightfields Accelerator, which educates City staff on deploying resources for renewable energy development.

In July of 2024, a request was submitted to and accepted by U.S. EPA Region 8 to extend the grant through 2025 in order to complete ongoing projects. The City continues to accept property nominations, and may be able to assist with environmental assessments through 2025, pending project scopes and funding availability.

Property Nomination:
To nominate a property for funding, please fill out this form and submit it to City Planner Andrew Stromme.

Additional Information:
The City has partnered with Stantec, a consulting firm to assist in the administration of the grant. For more information on the Brownfields Assessment Grant, please contact Andrew Stromme, City Planner via email.

Brownfields Site Nomination Form

Brownfields Assessment Grant Update - 2024 Brownfields Assessment Grant Update - 2024

2024 Grant Progress Update

The image above has a link to a presentation.

GRANT PROGRESS:
May 2021

Selected as Brownfields Assessment grantee with initial $300,000 grant.

Fall 2021

Commenced grant activities.
Created brownfields inventory and initiated property owner outreach.

Spring 2022

Participated in "EPA Technical Assistance - Land Revitalization" for City Hall and Civic Complex. Estimated consulting value: $100,000 at no cost to Mandan. This plan refreshed previous studies related to the City's presence in downtown Mandan with updated renderings, streetscapes proposals and associated funding strategies.

Fall 2022

Initiated property assessments.
Staff attended National Brownfields Training Conference in Oklahoma City, OK. This conference presented strategies Midwest/western Cities have successfully deployed brownfields resources in the redevelopment of previous industrial sites.

Spring 2023

Continued assessment on City Hall including the commencement of the Phase 2 assessment.
Completed funding formula for City Hall received from Adaapta.
Continued stakeholder outreach and identification of additional properties to conduct assessment work.

Fall 2023

Further education at National Brownfields Training Conference.
Joined "Brightfields Accelerator" for solar projects.
Identified potential solar projects for partnerships.

Spring 2024

Received complete phase 2 assessment for City Hall.
Attended training conference in Denver, CO.
Identified potential planning grant and private property owner interest in restoration grant.

Summer 2024

Conduct additional open houses for Civic Complex plan.
Complete phase 2 testing at City Hall including soil borings.
Explore establishment of Revolving Loan Fund with agencies like Lewis and Clark Development Group.
Grant extension request approved by EPA.

GRANT SPEND TO DATE:

$140,000 with ~$60,000 committed to projects = approximately $100,000 left with the ability to request an extension. The City has engaged with close to two dozen property owners in Mandan and has completed assessment work on six properties including a mix of public and private.