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Brownfields
A brownfield is land previously used for industrial purposes, or certain commercial uses, that may be contaminated by hazardous waste or pollution. Over the past few years, brownfields have become substantial challenges for communities across the country as information-based economies have replaced historically industrial areas. If ignored, brownfields can discourage economic investment, harbor potential safety hazards, and stigmatize entire neighborhoods.
Gahanna as a suburban community is not exempt from these problematic properties. In 2006, the City completed an inventory of potentially contaminated sites located within its borders. The results revealed that despite its size, Gahanna has a disproportionately large number of brownfield sites that require additional assessment, cleanup and redevelopment.
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All identified brownfield sites in Gahanna can be viewed by clicking this Brownfields GIS map
link. Once at the mapping page, please select the “Environmental” menu from the “Jump to”
drop down menu.
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City Response
The City of Gahanna is committed to spearheading the cleanup and redevelopment of all brownfields in our
community. By forging partnerships, pursuing funding sources and developing aggressive development
strategies, Gahanna is poised to rectify these environmental liabilities. The Gahanna Interdiction
and Bedford Action Teams are two City-led programs that have aggressively led the charge with great success.
Gahanna Interdiction Team
The City of Gahanna demonstrates a commitment to partnerships at all levels to solve our brownfield
challenges. Our multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary Gahanna Interdiction Team manages existing
brownfields and environmental challenges using partnerships and forums at the local and state levels.
This group includes various City officials, officials from surrounding jurisdictions, police and fire
departments, the Ohio EPA, and the Franklin County Board of Health. For more information about the
Gahanna Interdiction Team, please contact the Planning & Zoning Administrator at 614-342-4025 or via
this contact form.
Brownfields Grants & Funding
While the City of Gahanna is confident in its abilities, it cannot shoulder the financial burden of
redeveloping its brownfield sites alone. In addition to economic development partners, the City
actively pursues available grant funds to help offset costs
Recently, Gahanna applied for 2008 US EPA Revolving Loan Fund and Assessment Grants that if secured,
will allow the City to help finance assessment, remediation and cleanup expenses for other brownfields.
The public is always encouraged to provide input on this and any grant application. Copies of the
recent application are available at Gahanna City Hall and the Gahanna Public Library and in a
downloadable pdf format here.
US EPA Brownfield grants most recently awarded to the City include a $200,000 US EPA Brownfields
Assessment Grant (2005) for hazardous substances and a $200,000 US EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant
(2004) for petroleum contaminated sites.
Bedford Action Team
In 2005, the City of Gahanna partnered with the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to remediate and redevelop the abandoned Bedford I Landfill. The 80+ acre site will be transformed into Central Park Gahanna, a major new business campus that will feature office buildings, golf academy, conference center, and retail businesses. .
Site remediation will be complete in early 2008 and site development will occur over the next few years. Environmental enforcement and cleanup on the neighboring, 20+ acre Bedford II Landfill site is currently being explored. Funding for this major, innovative project to remediate the Bedford I Landfill included significant work and funding from the City of Gahanna, $3,000,000 from the Clean Ohio Redevelopment Fund, $200,000 from the US EPA, $150,000 from the Franklin County Commissioners through the Community Development Block Grant program, and other investments by the Central Ohio CIC.
More information about Central Park Gahanna can be found by clicking this link or by contacting the Director of Planning & Development at 614-342-4015 or via this contact form.
Public Comment
City leadership values and encourages public input. Please contact the Department of Planning and Development at 614-342-4015 or via this contact form with any questions or comments regarding brownfield redevelopment projects.
(Site last updated in March 2008)
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