The city of Gainesville, Fla. broke ground today on Depot Park, a brownfield area being converted into an urban park. Using a $16 million low-interest loan from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), the city will create a natural North Florida wetland landscape, with ponds to treat urban stormwater and reduce runoff to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.
"Revitalizing urban properties is just one way DEP is restoring Florida’s resources and promoting a healthy and prosperous Florida economy," said DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy Allan Bedwell. "Treating stormwater and enhancing Depot Park will provide a boost to the downtown Gainesville economy and allow for expanded business opportunities in the area."
DEP’s Clean Water SRF provides more than $120 million every year in discount rate loans to local governments for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, water conservation and reuse facilities and other creative water quality protection and restoration projects.
The SRF program encourages local governments to modernize water treatment systems and offers incentives for disadvantaged communities. In addition, state and federal brownfield redevelopment programs help to restore the economic and environmental value of properties that may be affected by the presence of historical pollutants.
DEP’s Brownfield Redevelopment program, which began in 1998, is one of the fastest growing programs in the nation with a steady annual increase in development projects. Today, DEP has more than 53 brownfield projects underway and more than 88 designated brownfield areas. Based on economic and regulatory incentives, the program uses private revenue to clean up and redevelop areas in Florida, create new job opportunities and enhance economic prospects.
