The Portland Brownfield Program offers flexible, low-interest loans to private property owners for cleanup activities on contaminated properties through the Portland Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund. Non-profits can receive cleanup grants up to $200,000.

Two recipients of cleanup funds are making significant progress on their brownfield sites.  Owners of a long-vacant former dry cleaner on North Williams Avenue are using a $200,000 cleanup loan to address contamination caused from years of improper dry cleaning solvent disposal. With this loan, the owners have installed a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system that pulls vapors out of the soil and away from neighboring properties. In combination with removal of contaminated soil hot spots, the system will clean the site and prepare it for redevelopment over the next two years.

The non-profit Dharma Rain Zen Center received a $200,000 grant to assist with cleanup of a former landfill on NE 82nd Avenue. Once clean, the site will be redeveloped as a campus for spiritual practice, community connection, and native habitat. To date, the grant has funded the import of clean soil to act as a cap and to stabilize the ground for new structures. Ecological restoration has already begun.

If you are the owner of a brownfield or considering purchasing a contaminated property, there is funding available for cleanup right now. Contact the Brownfield Program to discuss your needs.