EPA Brownfields Funding Helps Remove Environmental Barriers During Construction in Iowa

Lenexa, Kan.— U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin and other dignitaries are scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thurs.,, Jan. 31, for the All Care Health Center, a new $5.6-million community health clinic in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The facility stands on a former railroad and residential area that was cleared for redevelopment in 2006 after the City of Council Bluffs used funds from a $400,000 EPA Brownfields grant to assess the property.

The construction site was assessed for potential hazardous substance and petroleum contamination.   EPA Brownfields" funding helped remove environmental barriers on the property, allowing construction to proceed.

As a result, the All Care Health Center (formerly the Council Bluffs Community Health Center) will have a new 18,015-square-foot facility that includes medical and dental exam rooms, a pharmacy, surface parking and space for additional behavioral health providers. The All Care Health Center expects to serve nearly 8,000 patients.

The All Care Health Center's Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 31.

EPA's Brownfields program provides funding to assist with the assessment and redevelopment of environmentally contaminated properties. Brownfield sites can include residential, commercial and industrial properties. It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the U.S. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, utilizes existing infrastructure and takes development pressures off undeveloped, open land while improving and protecting the environment.