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Hennepin County > Property > Site cleanup and assessment funds

Site cleanup and assessment funds

The county supports the redevelopment of contaminated properties known as “brownfields.”Whether your development project is starting the investigation phase or needs assistance with managing known contamination, Hennepin County offers a variety of funding sources.

Eligible recipients include for-profit businesses, developers, governmental organizations, and nonprofit organizations.

Learn about brownfields in the video below.

 
  • ERF fact sheet (PDF)

Contact

brownfields@hennepin.us

Brianna Boos

Phone: 612-348-5948

Lance Robinette

Phone: 612-543-4855

Michael Torres

Phone: 612-695-1841

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Assessment funding

The following programs are available to assist with site investigation work.

Assistance to municipalities and nonprofit organizations

Hennepin County can complete environmental assessment work on behalf of nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and other local units of government.

Depending on your project, Hennepin County may also fund activities such as asbestos and lead-based paint abatement and other costs to prepare for clean up. Requests for funds are considered on a rolling basis. Total amounts vary by project. Contact brownfields@hennepin.us.

Brownfield Gap Financing Program

Hennepin County also partners with Minnesota Brownfields, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to provide nonprofit organizations and local units of government with gap funding for assessment work. Projects may apply for a maximum of $15,000 total in a 12-month span. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. These funds are available through the Brownfield Gap Financing Program.

More information and application can be found online: Minnesota Brownfields Gap Financing Program.

If your assessment project is more than $15,000, call Hennepin County to learn about other options.

Assistance to for-profit businesses

Environmental Response Fund provides assessment funding to for-profit businesses. No other assessment funding to for-profit businesses is available at this time. Check back for updates.

Other Brownfield resources

In addition to county funding, state and federal sources of funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County may also be available. More information can be found in Minnesota Brownfields: A Resource Guide (PDF).

Environmental Response Fund grant program

Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.

Find information below about ERF grant requirements, how to apply, grant management, funded projects and contacts.

Requirements

ERF grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Priority is given to the following:

  • Significantly contaminated sites
  • Demonstrated project readiness
  • Municipal and other public development projects
  • Affordable housing projects where contamination issues preclude redevelopment
  • Projects that promote economic development
  • Infill brownfield properties or orphan sites that contribute to blight
  • Other criteria include projects that incorporate sustainable features and activities in the project design, construction, and operation

Eligible applicants for ERF include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses. ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.

ERF grants are available for the investigation and cleanup of non-petroleum contamination or petroleum-related contamination.

In addition to county funding, other sources of funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County may also be available. More information can be found in Minnesota Brownfields: A Resource Guide (PDF).

Applying for an ERF grant

Prior to applying for an ERF grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.

Hennepin County is now accepting applications for the Spring 2023 ERF grant round. Applications are due by May 1, 2023 at 3 p.m.

To access the Request For Proposal (RFP) and apply:

  • Visit the Supplier Portal.
  • You can view the separate RFPs and materials by clicking the Environmental Response Fund RFP in the Events panel on the right half of the screen.
  • To apply, follow the on-screen instructions.

You will need to be registered to submit an application. For detailed instructions on how to register and submit an application, including video tutorials and more, visit the Supplier Portal information page.

Funding available

Approximately $1.0 – $1.2 million is distributed every grant round. Awards vary depending on the project, the amount of available grant funding and the list of applications received. No funding match is required. Grantees can start incurring costs the day after County Board approval.

ERF grant recipients

Each grantee will be assigned a grant manager. Please contact your grant manager to discuss reimbursement requests associated with your grant. The following forms need to be submitted as part of your reimbursement request:

1. Download and complete a disbursement form to request grant funds.

  • Disbursement request form – one draw (XLS)
  • Disbursement request form – multiple draw (XLS)

2. Download and complete an annual progress report (DOCX).

3. City of Minneapolis sub-recipient grantees additional form – download and complete quarterly progress reports (XLSX).

To submit disbursements:

  • Provide an electronic copy of the draft disbursement request and all back up information to the assigned grant manager to whom you currently submit requests. The grant manager will review the request and submit it for payment.
  • Provide an electronic copy of the final signed disbursement request form, including all required backup documentation to your grant manager.

Grants awarded February 2023

In February 2023, Hennepin County awarded 10 grants totaling $2,000,000. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup. The funding supports projects that create economic development by increasing the tax base, creating permanent jobs, and creating market-rate and affordable housing. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, soil cleanup, and vapor mitigation.  The recommended grants provide for the renovation or construction of 270 affordable housing units. ERF grants reduce environmental contamination and support projects in communities with disparities in health, housing, employment, and income. 

200 Central, Minneapolis

$50,719 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the development of a mixed-use commercial and residential building with 180 market-rate and 179 affordable housing units. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Alatus LLC) 

Emerson Village, Minneapolis

$92,617 for soil cleanup and asbestos abatement costs associated with the construction of 40 affordable housing units for low-income families and people with disabilities. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Beacon Interfaith and Emerson Village LLC)

Seven Points, Minneapolis

$163,033 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with development of a mixed-use commercial and residential building with 267 market-rate housing units. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Doran Companies)

Northstar Center, East Tower, Minneapolis

$378,916 for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement costs associated with the renovation of existing building to create 44 affordable and 172 market-rate housing units. (Grantee: Sherman Associates Ventures LLC) 

MorningStar Coffee, Minneapolis

$113,350 for vapor mitigation costs at an existing minority-owned coffee roaster and adult daycare. (Grantee: Morningstar Coffee Co.) 

Como Student Community Cooperative Parking Lots B and C, Minneapolis

$290,610 for soil cleanup costs associated with the reconstruction of two parking lots serving affordable housing apartments on the University of Minnesota campus. (Grantee: University of Minnesota)

Kenzie Terrace Apartments, St. Anthony

$265,825 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with construction of 76 market-rate housing units. (Grantee: City of St. Anthony Village on behalf of Interstate Development)

Douglas Drive Development, Crystal

$169,930 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with construction of eight market-rate townhome units. (Grantee: City of Crystal Economic Development Authority on behalf of Hampton Companies LLC)

MN Brownfields Gap Financing Program, countywide 

$300,000 the Brownfields Gap Financing Program, which provides small environmental assessment grants to government entities and non-profit organizations. (Grantee: Minnesota Brownfields)

CLCLT Homes, Minneapolis

$175,000 for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement associated with the rehabilitation of seven affordable owner-occupied single-family homes. (Grantee: City of Lakes Community Land Trust)

Grants awarded August 2022

In August 2022, Hennepin County awarded 12 grants totaling $3,811,198. The grants will fund asbestos and lead-based paint abatement, vapor mitigation, and contaminated soil assessment and cleanup. The funding supports projects that create economic development by increasing the tax base, creating permanent jobs, and creating market-rate and affordable housing. The timing of the ERF grant round coincides with contamination cleanup grant programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Metropolitan Council to maximize collaboration among the three funders.

3030 Nicollet, Minneapolis

$48,454 for vapor mitigation associated with the development of a mixed-use building of 110 units of affordable housing with 6 units reserved for High Priority Homeless, over first floor commercial space. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of PPL Nic Lake LLC)

325 Blake Road Project, Hopkins

$285,457 for soil cleanup costs associated with the development of a mixed-use, commercial, and housing complex including 194 affordable units, 600 market rate units and 33 townhomes as well as a regional stormwater facility. (Grantee: Minnehaha Creek Watershed District)

Calvary Apartments, Minneapolis

$879,428 for asbestos and lead-based paint abatement costs associated with the renovation of the existing buildings and construction of a new 41-unit affordable housing complex for 30% AMI or lower, low-income families and supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Trellis Company)

Debre Selam Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Site, Minneapolis

$572,800 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the development of a church. (Grantee: Debre Selam Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church)

Northrup King Residential, Minneapolis

$140,644 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with renovation of a vacant building into 8,120 square feet of commercial space and 84 units of affordable housing targeting low-income artists. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Artspace Projects, Inc)

Northstar, Minneapolis

$106,539 for asbestos and lead-paint abatement costs associated with the renovation of existing buildings to create 44 affordable and 173 market-rate housing units. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of NS Propco East Office LLC and Sherman Associates Development LLC)

Rogers Main Street Redevelopment Project, Rogers

$286,700 for soil cleanup and asbestos abatement costs associated with the construction of 40 units of affordable, senior housing. (Grantee: City of Rogers on behalf of Duffy Development Company, Inc)

Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments, Minneapolis

$219,369 for soil cleanup, asbestos and lead-paint abatement, and vapor mitigation costs associated with construction of 42 units of affordable housing as well as an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis on behalf of Project for Pride in Living, Inc. as developer for Simpson Housing Services, Inc.)

Upper Harbor Terminal (UHT), Minneapolis

$743,482 for soil cleanup costs associated with construction of a new, 20-acre riverfront park. (Grantee: City of Minneapolis) 

Vista 44, Hopkins

$105,000 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with construction of 50 units of permanent supportive housing for low-income families and people experiencing serious and persistent mental illness or another disabling behavioral health conditions. Of the 50 units, 25 units will be set aside for High Priority Homeless households. (Grantee: Vista 44 LLC)

Wooddale Avenue Apartments, St. Louis Park

$184,325 for soil cleanup, vapor mitigation and asbestos and lead-based paint abatement costs associated with the development of 114 units of affordable housing. (Grantee: St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of St. Louis Park AH I, LLLP)

Wooddale Station Redevelopment, St. Louis Park

$239,000 for soil cleanup and vapor mitigation costs associated with the construction of two buildings with 13,000 square feet of commercial space,63 affordable and 189 market-rate housing units. (Grantee: City of St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority on behalf of Wooddale Station, LLC)

Brownfields cleanup revolving loan

Hennepin County administers the Brownfields cleanup revolving loan program with funds made available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal of this program is to stimulate reuse and redevelopment of contaminated sites.

Requirements

Low-interest loans are available for environmental cleanup of hazardous waste, hazardous waste co-mingled with petroleum and petroleum-only impacts.

Eligible applicants include municipalities, economic development agencies, housing and redevelopment authorities, other local public entities, nonprofit organizations, public companies, private for-profit companies, and other interested parties. Loans are not available to responsible parties.

Applying for a revolving loan

Approximately $1.4 million is available. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the year.

Contact

Land and Water Unit
mary.finch@hennepin.us
Phone: 612-596-1595

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