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Brownfields Program

What are Brownfields?

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency defines a brownfield site as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. As such, brownfields are sites with known or perceived contamination. This contamination poses an obstacle to developers, often preventing the redevelopment of Brownfields sites. The EPA’s Brownfields Program intends to remove this obstacle by providing funding for the assessment and cleanup of Brownfields sites, removing this hindrance to redevelopment.

MVPC and Brownfields Redevelopment

MVPC has been involved in the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields program for over 20 years, working to fund Assessment and Cleanup efforts in the region. These funds assist communities with revitalizing sites that may be compromised by contamination by providing grants and low-interest loans to support Phase I Assessments, which involve a site inspection and review of publicly available documents, Phase II Assessments involving additional soil and groundwater testing, as well as the cleanup of contamination from properties if required.

Most recently, MVPC’s Brownfields program has been reinvigorated with $1.5 Million dollars in both Assessment and Cleanup funds to aid member communities in the pursuit of Brownfields revitalization efforts. These funds are available to all MVPC communities, on a first-come first-serve basis, with the intention to prioritize impactful and regionally beneficial projects. To inquire about becoming involved in MVPC’s Brownfields program, please contact the Environmental Program Coordinator, Cecelia Gerstenbacher, at [email protected].

MVPC Funded Brownfields Projects

Redevelopment at Work

Through the years, MVPC has utilized Brownfields funds to aid communities in a variety of reinvigoration projects, contributing positively to regional economic development, housing production, and overall health and wellbeing. MVPC looks forward to facilitating these efforts for years to come.

Procurement Information – Request for Qualified Environmental Professionals

Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) seeking Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified environmental professionals (QEPs) to provide technical services supporting site remediation at eligible properties selected for assistance through the Commission’s regional Brownfields Program. MVPC administers the Merrimack Valley Brownfields Assessment and Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) programs, which offers financing assistance to eligible property owners for environmental assessment and remediation of properties contaminated by petroleum or hazardous substances.  This project must be completed by September 30, 2027. The RFP may be downloaded below, or on Comm-Buys websites: www.commbuys.com.

A Pre-Bid Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, @ 2:00pm at the MVPC office, 160 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830. 

Proposals are due on Friday, November 16, 2022, by 12:00 pm.

Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted via email to: Cecelia Gerstenbacher, [email protected], or call 978-374-0519 x34.