Congressman Chris Smith made the following statement today regarding the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s award of $1.2 million to Trenton for several Brownfield cleanup projects throughout the city.

    Smith has consistently fought to help Trenton obtain federal Brownfield dollars.  For instance, Smith was instrumental in helping Trenton secure its Brownfield “Showcase Community” status in 1995, which has opened the door to much needed federal funding.

    He most recently wrote EPA Administrator Christie Whitman last month supporting the city’s application for the money being awarded today.

    “I congratulate Trenton for winning these hard-fought dollars and I look forward to continuing our successful federal/local partnership to cleanup the city’s Brownfield sites.

    “The award of this significant federal funding will allow Trenton to take specific steps forward in cleaning up and rehabilitating several Brownfield properties for safe redevelopment as parks and open space, historic sites, and even places for affordable housing.

    “The federal support will help turn an abandoned railroad freight yard along the Assunpink Creek into a 100 acre park and greenway that all residents of Trenton and the greater Mercer County area can enjoy.  It will help prepare the former Magic Marker plant parcel for affordable housing and enable the city to redevelop land along the Delaware and Raritan Canal – just blocks from the State House – that is now sitting as a parking lot.

    “The federal contribution will also help the city clean the historic Locust Hill Cemetery – an African American Cemetery first dedicated more than 140 years ago.  This historic and sacred ground clearly deserves to be preserved as an important component of the city’s past.”

    In addition to the $800,000 ($200,000 each for the freight yard, Magic Marker, cemetery, and canal projects), Trenton was also awarded $200,000 to remove hazardous substances at other sites throughout the city; and $200,000 to remove underground fuel tanks for a total award of $1.2 million.

    Last year, Smith supported legislation, which became Public Law (107-118), to expand the Brownfield program.  The law authorizes $200 million a year for the new Brownfield assessment grant to conduct, characterize, assess, and conduct planning at the sites.