Program Description

The City of Flagstaff's Brownfield Land Recycling Program encourages the reuse of previously developed land and buildings. Land recycling helps create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, potential increase property value, and reduce potential human health risks.  It also decreases the development pressure on open land and reduces urban sprawl by providing development opportunities within the City. The City of Flagstaff promotes the redevelopment of Brownfields by facilitating private party transactions, and through the acquisition, cleanup, and resale of environmentally challenged real estate. There are also federal tax incentives available for businesses to redevelop Brownfield sites.

More incentives are currently being developed in Flagstaff.  Please call us at 928/213-2914 if you think you own land that might qualify as a Brownfield, you are interested in purchasing Brownfield property, or you have more questions about development incentives.

Brownfield Projects

Sunnyside Community Assessment Grant.  The City of Flagstaff Brownfield Land Recycling Program is re-applying for a Community-wide Assessment Grant for the Sunnyside area. The grant will include both petroleum and hazardous substances, and seeks a total of $400,000. The grant application was due October 15, 2010 and we should hear back from the Environmental Protection Agency in April 2011 if we are awarded.  Please submit questions or comments about this grant application to  or call 928/213-2914.  You can view the 98% draft application the Document Center below. 

City Awarded $12,000 ADEQ Grant.  In summer of 2010, the City of Flagstaff was awarded another Brownfield grant for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.  The first site is at Wildcat Wastewater Treatment Facility on the east side of town.  The other is for four parcels of publically owned property in the downtown area in the general vicinity of the City Courthouse building.  Final reports were received and filed in November, 2010.

Chipotle.  The former Village Inn at 1111 S. Plaza Way has been purchased by Mr. Prema and his wife, and renovated to accommodate Chipotle’s new location! The property was given seed money through the Brownfield Land Recycling Program’ Route 66 Central Corridor grant to perform a Phase I environmental site assessment because of the location of the property. A gas station with leaking underground storage tanks were located next door at one time. This can be a problem when a property owner seeks funding for a loan and the lending institution views the property as high risk because of potential historic contamination. The environmental site assessment process yields a report that is useful for property owners, potential funders and/or developers and buyers to show the risks at the property if any are found. This report also acts as a disclosure to protect the property owner and acts to boost value to a property where contamination is rumored, but not validated. Mr. Prema was relieved to discover that the property had no threat of environmental contamination. The new restaurant opened on January 18, 2011, creating 28 new jobs.

The Brownfield Land Recycling Program has been awarded Phase I services from ADEQ for two projects. These projects will increase public health and the environment and spur redevelopment in the Flagstaff community. These services collectively are worth $12,000.

• Wildcat Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility.  This facility’s biosolids processing area will receive a Phase I environmental site assessment from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The City has been researching other methods of processing these wastes and would like to move toward renewable energy production at the site. The Brownfield Program has applied for an Environmental Impact Statement and Feasibility Study for the renewable energy production from the Bureau of Land Management. We expect to hear from them in May.
• Downtown Flagstaff.  Four Parcels of property in downtown Flagstaff will be receiving a Phase I environmental site assessment and an updated Asbestos Survey. These activities are needed to precede a transit hub redevelopment at the site.

FY 2011 EPA Brownfields
Community-Wide Grant

Community Meeting Notice


Meeting 1:    Sustainability Commission

                   4:30 November 9, 2011

                              Staff Conference Room, City Hall

           Alternate Location: 
                             AT ARD  Building, NAU Campus

Meeting 2:    Heritage Preservation Commission

                   4:00 November 16, 2011

                   Staff Conference Room, City Hall

Click on the following document name for more information on the FY 2011 EPA Brownfields Community Wide Grant

Brownfield Document Center

Brownfield Links and Resources

Brownfield Newsletter – Fall 2010

Brownfield Newsletter – Summer 2009

Brownfield Newsletter – Summer 2008

Brownfield Program Brochure

Brownfield Redevelopment Plan

Community Assessment Grant Application 

Current Brownfield Grants

EPA Brownfield Benefit Document 

EPA Brownfield Grant Participant 

Local Brownfield Program News