Brownfields in EPA Region 5
EPA Region 5 manages Brownfields and Land Revitalization programs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
This page has regional information. For general information about the Brownfields Program, visit www.epa.gov/brownfields.
Targeted Brownfields Assessments
Subtitle A of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act authorizes EPA to establish a program to perform Targeted Brownfields Assessments such as Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments at properties within Region 5 at no cost to local governments, quasi-governmental agencies and tribes. Information gathered from Targeted Brownfields Assessments gives local governments and prospective purchasers a better understanding of potential contamination issues at brownfields in their communities. EPA will characterize a brownfield to determine the nature and extent of the contamination. Results are provided to the community to assist them in redevelopment planning.
- Complete and send the Sample Request Letter (doc)
- Complete and send the TBA Eligibility Questionnaire (pdf)
- Complete, sign and send the TBA Access Consent Form.
- EPA Region 5 TBA Fact Sheet (pdf)
Region 5 Contact
Melanie Sorman (sorman.melanie@epa.gov)
EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment Program Lead
(312) 886-7185
Technical Assistance to Brownfields
The Technical Assistance to Brownfields Program provides free assistance to communities and stakeholders. Program providers serve as independent resources and can provide expert technical assistance and guidance for parties interested in acquiring, assessing, cleaning up and redeveloping brownfield properties. In Region 5, Kansas State University offers free technical assistance and training program services to EPA Brownfields Grant recipients and those seeking Brownfields Grants.
Grant Resources
- General Brownfields Grant Guidance
- Grantee Forms and Assessment, Cleanup and Redevelopment Exchange System (ACRES)
Region-Specific Resources
- Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities
- Region 5 FY24 MAC Grants Outreach Webinar presentation (pdf) - FY 2024 Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup Grants Competition and Overview on Environmental Justice Component
- Residential Demolition Bid Specification Development Tool Report and Fact Sheet
- Brownfields and Urban Agriculture: Interim Guidelines for Safe Gardening Practices (pdf)
- Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook and Worksheets
- EPA Region 5 Brownfields Climate Training (pdf) and Recording
- Removing Market Barriers to Green Development (pdf)
- EPA Region 5 Land Revitalization Resources (pdf)
Success Stories
Find out how EPA Brownfields Grant recipients are transforming properties across Region 5 to improve and protect the environment, boost the local economy and enhance communities now and for years to come.
State Cleanup Programs
Program Agreements
- Illinois (pdf)
- Illinois Superfund (pdf)
- Indiana (pdf)
- Indiana Superfund (pdf)
- Michigan (pdf)
- Michigan Superfund (pdf)
- Minnesota (pdf)
- Ohio (pdf)
- Ohio Modification (pdf)
- Wisconsin (pdf)
Federally Recognized Tribes with Brownfields Programs
- Bad River Band of Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin
- Fond Du Lac Band Lake Superior Chippewa, Minnesota
- Grand Traverse Bay Band, Michigan
- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan
- Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota
- Little River Band Ottawa, Michigan
- Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan
- Match-E-Be-Nash-O-Wish/Gun Lake, Michigan
- Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Wisconsin
- Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Minnesota
- Nottawaseppi Huron Band Potawatomi, Michigan
- Oneida Nation Wisconsin, Wisconsin
- Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Wisconsin
- Red Lake Band, Minnesota
- Saginaw Chippewa, Michigan
- St. Croix, Wisconsin
- Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, Michigan
- White Earth, Minnesota
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The City of Chicago aims to return some of their 10,000 vacant lots on the south and west sides to productive reuse while ensuring that the lots have been assessed for environmental risks. Chicago created a systematic environmental review to identify potentially contaminated areas on an accelerated basis and used $500,000 in Targeted Brownfields Assessment funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to assess dozens of vacant properties.
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After the Richmond Manufactured Gas Plant was demolished in 2009, Richmond, IN assessed, cleaned up, and redeveloped the former plan using a variety of EPA, state, and private funding. The site is now public greenspace in downtown Richmond.
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In Lansing, MI, the Allen Place building’s history as a gasoline station and dry-cleaner lead to sub-surface contamination. After cleanup efforts funded by the State of MI, the site will be redeveloped into the Allen Neighborhood Center with mixed-income housing, a health clinic, and a food co-op.
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The City of Minneapolis used EPA Brownfields funding to convert a maintenance and public works facility at Snelling Yards into an 100-unit affordable senior housing community called the Ecumen Hillock Apartments.
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The of Toledo used EPA Brownfields funding to convert an Ohio Department of Transportation facility into additional greenspace for soccer fields at Schneider Park.
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A property in downtown Watertown, WI that housed many industries and businesses since the 1880s was converted into the Bentzin Family Town Square with the help of state and EPA Brownfields funding. The Town Square hosts community activities and has catalyzed economic activity in Watertown.