Donald S. Welsh, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator this week lauded the efforts of the brownfields partnership effort that is redeveloping the former steel manufacturing facility in the city of Coatesville, Chester County.

"Brownfields redevelopment turns a community eyesore into a community asset," said Welsh. "The folks here in Chester County have shown that they know what to do."

To assist local brownfields redevelopment efforts, Welsh presented a check in the amount of $200,000 to the Chester County Economic Development Council for environmental assessments at various brownfields sites across Chester County.

CCEDC will select which sites are most deserving of the federal funds made available through this grant, and Welsh has full faith that the money will be used wisely.

The $200,000 grant was awarded at the site of the former G.O. Carlson plant which manufactured stainless steel until as recently as March 2004. The operation was moved to a more efficient facility in Erie, and the Coatesville plant was demolished in November 2004 making space for the long-awaited revitalization to Coatesville's beleaguered downtown district.

Instrumental to the success of brownfields redevelopment are the efforts of all levels of public officials as well as "the congressional delegation representing U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach and state Rep. Tim Hennessey," said Welsh.

Development plans for "The Flats" section of Coatesville include a riverwalk along the Brandywine Creek and several high-rise condominium towers, a large grocery store, and a restaurant district.

For more information, visit the EPA Region 3 brownfields webpage or the Department of Environmental Protection’s Land Recycling webpage.

7/29/2005