(AGENPARL) - Roma, 22 Marzo 2024 - (AGENPARL) – ven 22 marzo 2024 Issued: Mar 22, 2024 (4:24pm EDT)
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EPA partners with 10 communities to foster equitable development strategies to
reach environmental goals
WASHINGTON – Today, March 22, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) announced that ten communities will receive technical assistance through
the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. Together, EPA and the
local communities will pursue development strategies that expand upon existing
Brownfields efforts and advance clean air, clean water, equitable development
and other local goals.
“Many communities are looking to grow in ways that create economic
opportunity and enhance quality of life, while also protecting the
environment,” said EPA Associate Administrator for Policy Vicki Arroyo.
“Our Building Blocks program provides assistance with proven development
strategies to help communities plan for a healthier, more vibrant future.”
EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization selected communities through a
targeted outreach effort in a partnership with the Office of Brownfields and
Land Revitalization and Regional offices across the United States. This
technical assistance will help communities:
Ensure their development decisions address environmental justice concerns in
underserved and overburdened communities.
Preserve their natural resources and community character, while allowing for
economic growth.
Create vibrant, walkable and revitalized neighborhoods.
In 2024, EPA staff will lead projects in ten communities, including convening
federal, state, regional and local partners, and contractor support, for
two-day in-person workshops. The projects will address development-oriented
and equity issues on two topics: Planning for Equitable Development and
Sustainable Strategies for Small Cities and Rural Communities.
Since 2011, the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program has
provided assistance to over 200 communities in 47 states. With this
assistance, community groups, local governments and tribal governments across
the nation have increased their capacity to protect the environment, improve
public health, expand economic opportunity, prepare for the effects of climate
change and improve overall quality of life.
Recipients of the 2024 Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program
Region 1
The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Point Pleasant, Maine, has worked with EPA’s
Brownfields program to remediate a site on their land and redevelop for the
development and enrichment of Tribal youth, promoting traditional activities
such as hunting, fishing and camping. “I’m extremely excited for this new
opportunity for the youth! I work very closely in the community, and I have
four boys myself. This is going to be an amazing venture for them,” said
Melissa Dana, member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. “Coming as a parent of all
boys who are all adventurous and spend half their time in the woods, this is
definitely going to be utilized.”
Region 2
The Akwesasne/St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, N.Y. straddles the Canadian border at
the 45th parallel and is downstream from three Superfund sites. The community
intends to use the Building Blocks process to collaboratively plan for an
Akwesasne Heritage Center Complex on a site that is undergoing an
environmental site assessment. “Our selection for inclusion to the EPA
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program represents further
progress towards the long-held goal of constructing a new and modern Akwesasne
Heritage Center Complex,” said St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Executive Director,
Tsiorasa Barreiro. “The Technical Assistance resources provided by the
program will help our Environment and Economic Development teams engage our
community in workshops to develop a strong cultural action plan and final
design for the Heritage Center.” The Heritage Center will serve as a
cultural anchor for the community, potentially housing both a museum and
library.
The Shinnecock Indian Nation is a small, federally recognized tribe residing
on the Shinnecock Reservation in Suffolk County, on the southern shore of Long
Island, New York. The tribe seeks to clean up and reuse contaminated
properties to maximize the limited amount of developable land in their
territory.  “Our Building Blocks project will be the critical first step
towards remediation of multiple abandoned properties and support our
sustainable development for the wellbeing of the people and wildlife,
alike,” said Shavonne Smith, Environmental Director.
Region 5
Austin, Minn., is a city with a large immigrant and refugee community that
will focus their Building Blocks project on a commercial corridor facing some
challenging redevelopment issues, including several Brownfield sites. The
Equitable Development tool will help the city strengthen housing, health,
equity and connectivity opportunities in partnership with community
organizations and stakeholders. “We look forward to encouraging proper
redevelopment while addressing health and equity concerns in partnership with
the Building Blocks team,” said City Administrator Craig Clark.
Manitowoc, Wis., is a small city with a strong maritime and industrial legacy
located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It will use the Building Blocks
process to focus on a neighborhood near the Manitowoc River that is
experiencing disinvestment due to the departure of the aluminum manufacturing
industry. “Working with the Building Blocks team will provide residents and
businesses an opportunity to meaningfully engage and shape a vision for this
near downtown neighborhood and identify redevelopment opportunities that will
have a positive impact,” said Mayor Justin M. Nickels. The city plans to
incorporate equity from the outset as they engage residents and work towards
identifying redevelopment opportunities to best address the transportation,
housing and other needs of the area.
Region 7
Jennings, Mo., is a city of 13,000 in the St. Louis metropolitan area, working
to transform their West Florissant Business Corridor downtown into a safe,
walkable and thriving business district. The city – which has suffered the
economic and public health impacts of racial discrimination for decades –
will convene local, regional, state and federal organizations to coordinate
efforts to address commercial vacancies in Jennings and rebuild the Corridor
to work best for residents and business owners. “Residents often share their
memories of what that corridor once was — a pillar of the community, and a
place where residents could get everything they needed,” said Anni Dineen,
Economic Development Coordinator of Jennings. “This opportunity will equip
us to restore the thriving aspects of the corridor in an equitable and
sustainable way.”
Region 8
Cheyenne, Wyo., will use Building Blocks tools to address urban sprawl,
housing shortages and affordability issues. Cheyenne has experienced steady
growth in recent years and has recently begun to address these issues through
proposed and recently passed code amendments. “Our community will address
challenges related to stormwater, green space and transportation options
through the Building Blocks process,” said Lonnie Olson, Cheyenne city
planner. Cheyenne intends to apply a smart growth lens to current codes and
identify strategies to foster compact, mixed-use development.
Mandan, N.D., a city along the Missouri River adjacent to the state capitol
Bismarck, is bringing together stakeholders to prioritize concerns and elevate
solutions to revitalize an underutilized corridor in town. “We strive to
create a vibrant neighborhood with high-quality residential units that meet
market demands and enhance accessibility for residents,” said City
Administrator Jim Neubauer. “We will identify stakeholder concerns and
priorities and identify plans to address them.”
Region 10
Chiloquin, Ore., is a small rural town located within the ancestral homeland
of the Klamath Tribes. In addition to two Brownfield projects, the city and
key partners have several other state and federal projects underway, including
a Safe Routes to School project, a parks master planning process and a tiny
homes initiative. “We are excited to use Building Blocks assistance to
ensure the city engages in an equitable and collaborative approach to these
important upcoming community decisions,” said Cathy A. Stuhr, Chiloquin
Brownfield Program Manager.
Palouse, Wash., a small town in eastern Washington along the Idaho border, won
a Brownfields Award in 2023. Palouse is experiencing external growth pressures
from two nearby universities. “We are eager to build upon the momentum of
revitalizing our Main Street by addressing housing, economic development and
sustainability goals,” said Mayor Tim Sievers.
Learn more about the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program.
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