As defined by the EPA, brownfields are, “abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.”

Examples are former:

• factories
• gasoline or service stations
• dry cleaners
• chemical storage facilities
• businesses where chemicals or solvents were used or stored
• bus facilities
• land fills

What caused Brownfields? 

Site Assessment 

The first step in any brownfield redevelopment effort is an initial site assessment (often referred to as a Phase I study). These studies are needed in order to determine what (if any) clean-up is warranted. In some cases contamination may not exist and a third-party study can help allay public or investor concerns and clear the way for development. The City of San Antonio is one of 399 governmental agencies selected by the EPA to administer a Brownfields Site Assessment Demonstration Pilot program. The Grant allows the City to:

• Establish a Brownfields Redevelopment Program
• Support assessments of brownfield properties
• Partner with a variety of environmental agencies
• Promote a unified approach to site assessment, cleanup and redevelopment

Grant funding is available for preliminary environmental activities including site identification, site assessment and/or remediation planning and design. Funding cannot be used for actual clean-up activities. 

Only commercial and industrial property can be considered for the program.

The City of San Antonio is seeking potential brownfield sites for its EPA Brownfields program. Property owners or potential investors should contact the City of San Antonio if they believe they have a brownfield site in need of a Phase I site assessment or other studies to assess the viability of a property for redevelopment. The selection guidelines for a potential project within the City of San Antonio are:

• Deteriorating, abandoned commercial/industrial structures or property (not underground storage tanks)
• Perceived or actual environmental contamination
• Development potential
• Property located in the inner city, Enterprise Community, State Enterprise Zone or property located in Low/Moderate Income Census Tracts preferred

Additionally, funding is available for eligible property owners located within the eight NCR target areas for the assessment of former gasoline or service stations. These sites are not required to be abandoned.

The City of San Antonio, the EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will review any proposed project for appropriateness. To be considered please contact the Brownfields Program Manager at (210) 207-7805.

For more information go to:

How can I receive assistance to clean up a site? 
The City of San Antonio does not currently have grant monies for the clean up of sites. The City can apply for those funds once a site had been identified, however the City must own the site. If the site is located within the Empowerment Zone boundary the cleanup cost can be deducted from the property owners federal taxes.

2007 U.S. EPA Grant Applications

Download our Brownfields Redevelopment program flyer.