EPA awards City of New Rockford $200K for Cleanup of Hospital Site
May 15, 2013 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the City of New Rockford as the recipient of a $200,000 Brownfields cleanup grant which will be used to remove contamination at the old New Rockford City Hospital site. The grant is part of $62 million in EPA Brownfields funds awarded to 240 grant recipients across the nation to assess, clean up and redevelop contaminated properties.
Mayor Jim Belquist says this grant is huge for the safety of the community, “New Rockford and surrounding area residents have waited a long time for the removal of this dangerous building and now, thanks to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant, the building removal will become a reality. Although we have lots of work yet to do, I want the demolition to be completed this fall.
Belquist says the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation played a major role in the highly competitive award, "I'd like to especially thank our economic development staff, Jessica Dillon and Sarah Smith Warren, for their diligent work and completion of a very comprehensive grant application. Our area is fortunate to have them working for us. Without them, we would still be awaiting sufficient funding for the project."
Sarah Smith Warren, Executive Director of the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation, says there are plans for redevelopment for the property, “This building used to be a source of pride for the community, however, in the past 20 years, it has become a sore spot. We look forward redeveloping the space into something the community can be proud of again.”
Built in 1939 as part of the federal Work Projects Administration under President Roosevelt, the Hospital site occupies nearly a full city block and has been empty for over 20 years. The site contains inorganic contaminants, including asbestos. A representative with the North Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Health Section will oversee the safe remediation and demolition of the property. Plans for site redevelopment include the creation of affordable housing opportunities for families and seniors.