City gets stimulus funds for arena environmental work

Lincoln Journal Star
January 6, 2010

Lincoln is getting nearly $300,000 in federal stimulus funds for environmental work related to the proposed West Haymarket arena.

The money is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program. Lincoln was one of five cities in Region 7 to receive awards, which were announced Wednesday.

Brownfields are redevelopment areas in which hazardous chemicals or other pollution may be present.

The land being targeted for the arena has a history of use by railroads and heavy industry, leading to concerns of possible soil contamination.

EPA spokeswoman Belinda Young said the money went to six individual pieces of land, all of which are being considered as part of the arena and associated development.

The money is paid directly to contractors who won federal bids to do environmental assessment work, Young said. She did not name the contractors.

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