Ne Colorado News

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, M.D. (CO-08) on June 9 joined in announcing that Brighton will receive $500,000 in funding to clean up and revitalize downtown properties with redevelopment potential. The funding was awarded through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Assessment grant, and will be used to conduct environmental site assessments, develop cleanup plans, and conduct community outreach activities at contaminated properties in the City’s downtown core.

“I’m looking forward to the impact this funding will have on Brighton. Not only will it jumpstart existing local businesses, it will help keep our community safe and healthy.” said Congresswoman Caraveo. “Better yet, by investing in this revitalization now, we can continue to attract businesses who will serve Brighton and boost our local economy for years to come.”

“The City of Brighton has put together a comprehensive plan to strategically assess, cleanup and redevelop downtown properties to contribute to the future health and vitality of the community,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “We look forward to seeing these projects address contamination concerns at sites and pave the way for their productive reuse.” 

"The City is excited to be awarded this grant as it will be used to assist property owners in formulating plans to repurpose underutilized sites in Brighton," said Mayor Gregory Mills. "We feel this grant will help us attract more employment, tourism, retail options, and investment in core areas of the City. We are grateful to the EPA for investing in Brighton's bright future." 

Sites prioritized for assessment and cleanup include the former Tortilleria Cuauhtemoc, the Brighton Grain Elevator, the Midland Cereal Building, the Wilmore Canning Factory (The Cannery), Petroleum Wholesale Inc., and other properties in the downtown area.  Most targeted properties are adjacent to the railroad, resulting in persistent concerns about arsenic and other potential contaminants, including heavy metals, asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, polyfluorinated compounds, and petroleum compounds.  

Revitalization plans for these properties include new housing, mixed-use development, industrial space, marketplaces, restaurants, breweries, event spaces, and artisan locations. Additionally, the City is exploring the potential development of a Latinx cultural and commercial center for the community.

Boosting economic development in Brighton and Northern Colorado has been a priority for Congresswoman Caraveo. She recently also announced that Amprius Technologies will build a lithium ion battery factory in Brighton with federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, creating hundreds of jobs right off the bat.

Caraveo is also advocating for $3,000,000 in federal funding to replace water lines in Brighton as part of the Community Project Funding process.

Original source can be found here