The City of Paris, KY, and US EPA Region 4 contracting partners Tetra Tech and Adaapta, and ICMA TAB staff co-hosted this public meeting.

City of Paris, Tetra Tech and Adaapta shared updates on the status of the former City Dump & Incinerator site adjacent to Chief Reed Park. Adaapta representatives also shared the upcoming plans for environmental assessment and reuse planning.

In Spring 2024, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 identified the Former Paris Incinerator (“the site”) in Paris, Kentucky, as a candidate for Technical Assistance (TA) under the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization’s (OBLR) Regionally-Directed Funding and Financing Task Order (FTO).

Adaapta’s scope of work for the FTO TA, under Tetra Tech's direction, included participating in community engagement activities during a site visit, conducting a preliminary market and financial feasibility study based on proposed reuses, completing preliminary research of potential funding sources, and developing a resource roadmap for the community that outlines future steps in the redevelopment process. Adaapta initiated its FTO TA process efforts in Paris, KY with site visits, meetings, and a presentation on July 9, 2024.

Michelle Spohnheimer (Adaapta) sharing brownfield Reuse Planning process and alternatives for the former Incinerator Site and area.

ICMA TAB also attended and presented how EPA Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities (TAB) funds were being utilized to assist the City of Paris, KY identify and prioritize additional brownfield sites in the community. Chris Harrell presented Brownfield Inventory – The What, Why, and How for Paris, KY which outlined the brownfield inventory process utilized in Paris, KY and explained how a free mobile app (Brownfield Tracker based on Esri Survey123) can help city staff and community members engage in mapping community brownfield conditions and tracking conditions over time.

Community members learned ways to identify a brownfield site, how to map and monitor sites of interest, and how to use the inventory process to buttress EPA Brownfield Grant applications and prioritize sites for community intervention. ICMA TAB shared how brownfield resources for assessment , planning, site cleanup and redevelopment are provided through EPA grant resources, state brownfield program resources, or through other federal, state, and local initiatives. The community also learned about tools and strategies to help get to the twin goals of redevelopment and environmental risk reduction.

Chris Harrell (ICMA TAB) sharing the what, why, and how of Brownfield Inventory & Prioritization