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Southwest Arkansas

 Announcement: October 25th, 2023

EPA Grant Hearing - There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 at 5:00 PM at the Union County Courthouse.
 

WHERE: Union County Courthouse
101 N Washington Ave, El Dorado, AR

Notice of Intent to submit an application for a United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Cleanup Grant by Southwest Arkansas Planning & Development District Inc. (SWAPDD, Inc.)  Public Notice is hereby given that SWAPDD, Inc. Brownfields Program intends to apply for the EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant funding for the asbestos abatement of the Warner Brown Hospital (West Wing) prior to renovations. A public meeting will be held on November 7th regarding approval of a grant application to the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain Brownfields funding for asbestos abatement at the Warner Brown Hospital (West Wing). The property is to be redeveloped to better serve the needs of the community. The Warner Brown Hospital (West Wing) was built by investors in 1920. Union County purchased the property in August of 2022, and SWAPDD, Inc. under Warranty Deed and a Remediation Grant Agreement obtained ownership of the property for removal of asbestos. Ownership reverts back to Union County once the property is abated of asbestos. The plans are to renovate the property for possible college dorm rooms, rental property, offices, or other departments under the Union County umbrella. The hospital was built in a time period where it was common practice to use building materials that contain asbestos. Prior to any renovations asbestos containing materials will need to be properly removed.  SWAPDD, Inc. encourages Union County and El Dorado citizens, business owners, and other interested stakeholders to attend the November 7th public meeting to be held at the Union County Courthouse to provide feedback and comments about this project. Comments on the application can be sent to jimmy.parker@arkansas.gov. A copy of the ABCA plan and a draft grant application are available for comments at the Union County Courthouse, 101 N Washington Ave, El Dorado, AR 71730 for more information about the Public Hearing please contact: Jimmy Parker, Brownfields Coordinator, 870-235-7521 or jimmy.parker@arkansas.gov. You may also view a copy of the draft application HERE. All comments should be submitted to Jimmy Parker at jimmy.parker@arkansas.gov.

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