St. Paul - Today, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced nearly $3.6 million in total grant awards to help six communities pay for assessing and cleaning up contaminated sites for private or public redevelopment.

This round of Contamination Cleanup and Investigation grants will create or retain 1,496 jobs, add over $5.4 million to local tax bases and create 121 housing units. Grants are expected to leverage nearly $211 million in private investment and lead to the investigation or clean-up of nearly 65.6 acres of land.

"This grant program is a sound investment in Minnesota's communities," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "Cleaning up contaminated land provides a boost to economic development, job creation and local tax bases."

DEED's Contamination Cleanup Grants cover up to 75% of the costs of removing contamination at approved polluted sites. The remaining costs are covered by cities and counties, other units of local government and private landowners and developers.

Since its inception in 1993, the Contamination Cleanup Grant Program has awarded over $208 million in grants, which paid for assessment and cleanup of 4,044 acres of land – contributing to the creation or retention of more than 52,000 jobs and clearing the way for 19,347 new housing units. The program has also leveraged over $10 billion in private investments and added over $150 million to local tax bases.

Details for individual projects below:

City of Excelsior – 339 Third Street

The city of Excelsior is awarded $654,000 in cleanup funding for this 1.65-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically used as a cosmetic manufacturing facility and other civil uses such as a city hall and fire station, this site will be redeveloped into five connected apartment buildings containing 38 units, and two buildings containing 11 walk-up rowhomes. The development will also include 244 public parking spaces. It is anticipated this project will retain three jobs, increase the local tax base by $320,000 and leverage $28.5 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the city and other grant sources.

Local contact – Kristi Luger, City of Excelsior 952-653-3672

City of Maplewood – Caretta Senior Living

The city of Maplewood is awarded $727,916 in cleanup funding for this 3.76-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically undeveloped and used for storage and dumping, this site will be redeveloped into a two-story, assisted living and memory care community with 72 units. It is anticipated this project will create 26 jobs, increase the local tax base by $442,869 and leverage $23.1 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.

Local contact – Michael Martin, City of Maplewood 651-249-2303

City of St. Paul – CEZ Prior Works

The city of St Paul is awarded $174,981 in cleanup funding for this 8.79-acre site contaminated with chlorinated solvents. Historically used as an industrial building for various commercial products, the undeveloped portion of this site will be redeveloped into a 50,000 square-foot office and 50,000 square feet of industrial space for creative entrepreneurs. It is anticipated this project will create 240 new jobs, retain 468 jobs, increase the local tax base by $370,504 and leverage $9.4 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.

Local contact – Claudia Klinkhammer, City of St Paul 651-266-8685

Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) – Northern Stacks IX

The Fridley HRA is awarded $50,000 to further investigate this 29.15-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically occupied by multiple industrial, manufacturing, and automobile repair tenants over the years, this site will be redeveloped into three industrial warehouse office buildings totaling 342,300 square feet. It is anticipated this project will create 81 jobs, retain 277 jobs and increase the local tax base by $828,202. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.

Local contact – Paul Bolin 763-572-3591

St. Paul Port Authority – United Village Phase I

The St. Paul Port Authority is awarded $600,074 in cleanup funding for this 6.62-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically part of a large streetcar manufacturing and maintenance facility, this site will be redeveloped into an 87,777 square foot office building and a 170-room hotel with a connected parking ramp with approximately 20,096 square feet of retail space. It is anticipated this project will create 148 jobs, retain 181 jobs, increase the local tax base by $3,160,549 and leverage $128.4 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.

Local contact - Sarah Illi 651-204-6222

South St. Paul EDA – Wakota Logistics

The South St. Paul EDA is awarded $1,392,363 in cleanup funding for this 15.62-acre site contaminated with petroleum and other contaminants. Historically a municipal lift station and wastewater treatment plant, this site will be redeveloped into a 182,700 square-foot industrial warehouse. It is anticipated this project will create 24 new jobs, retain 48 jobs, increase the local tax base by $314,898 and leverage $21.3 million of private investment. Matching funds will be provided by the developer and other grant sources.

Local contact - Ryan Garcia 651-554-3278