The Prince of earmarks brings home the pork

July 29, 2008

News Release

For Immediate Release

EPA Grant to Help Commercial Street Go Green

Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt announced today that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected a local Springfield project as the recipient of a major new grant. The project, part of Springfield’s Commercial Street Historic District continuing efforts to “go green,” will include $50,000 of technical assistance aimed at helping revitalize the area with the newest and most innovative green technologies available.

“Springfield has become a national leader in the use of Brownfields grants to revitalize old commercial and industrial sites for modern uses,” said Blunt. “This latest grant will bring a new emphasis to implementing green technologies for the purpose of revitalizing three structures on historic Commercial Street. It’s a great opportunity for Commercial Street, and an even better one for residents of the area.”

“The EPA will help develop a plan using environmental professionals to redesign the use of three structures for green building technologies and potential Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification,” said Springfield Brownfields Coordinator Olivia Hough. “There are companies anxious to take the lead on this promising new technology – and now they’ll have the means to do just that.”

The three structures identified as part of the Brownfield Sustainability Pilot are:

• Buz Brewery, 505 West Commercial, a micro brewery, which was the original site of a gas station and later an awning company.
• Juliette’s Day SPA, 233 East Commercial, the former site of Davis Appliance, which was also a gas station in the 1930s.
• The Commercial Club, 299 East Commercial, which is an historic community building where the Commercial Club of Springfield meets, and preparing to undergo a major rehabilitation.

Hough said the three sites were assessed under the Brownfields program for potential hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminates. The grant will support the design of activities in the new buildings that may include materials recycling, green infrastructure design, energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy development and native landscaping.

Contact: Dan Wadlington; dan.wadlington@mail.house.gov; (417) 889-1800