PERFORMING ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER
Once used for the fabrication of steel shipping barrels, plans for the former Greif Property include being repurposed as the site of a new performing arts and culture center. The property, which is located adjacent to Depot Park and the Railroad Depot Museum, has a number of usable buildings. The new performing arts and culture center would bring more visitors to Cullman and would also be a nighttime venue for the downtown area.
What is a Brownfield?
A brownfield is a property that contains the presence of contaminations or is perceived to be contaminated. These properties, which include approximately one-half million sites throughout the nation, often, stay abandoned for years. Remediation plans for the Greif Property include phytoremediation, which utilizes plants to clean up containments on the property.
How Other Cities are Using Brownfield Sites.
Similar brownfield redevelopment projects have been completed by other cities throughout the United States. Here a former appliance factory in Franklin, Tennessee is transformed into an upscale retail locale.
Funding for Redevelopment
The City of Cullman will be participating in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfield Redevelopment and Cleanup Program. The program provides grants and technical support to cities, counties and states to address the issues of Brownfield sites. This program will allow the City of Cullman to remediate the Greif Property.
Click here to visit the EPA website for more information about the program.