Kansas City has been awarded $6 million in federal Brownfields grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support the cleanup and revitalization of contaminated properties—marking a major milestone in the City’s ongoing work to transform underused land into vibrant community spaces. 

As part of the EPA’s 2025 national grant awards, Kansas City will receive: 

• $4 million Brownfields Cleanup Grant to remediate 47 vacant lots in the Washington Wheatley neighborhood and the former Benson Manufacturing site at 18th & Agnes Avenue. 

• $2 million Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant to expand the City’s ability to provide low-interest loans and subgrants for cleanup of other contaminated sites citywide. 

The $4 million Cleanup Grant is one of only eight awards at the maximum amount nationwide, underscoring Kansas City’s national leadership in equitable redevelopment and brownfields reuse. This targeted investment will help prepare sites for future redevelopment focused on affordable housing, economic opportunity, and long-term neighborhood improvement. 

“The $6 million EPA investment will accelerate our work transforming environmental challenges into neighborhood opportunities,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “With $4 million to clean up sites in Washington Wheatley and at 18th & Agnes, plus $2 million for our Revolving Loan Fund, we’re creating a pathway for affordable housing and economic growth—particularly east of Troost. Being one of only eight cities nationwide to receive a cleanup grant at this level recognizes Kansas City's leadership in equitable community development through brownfields revitalization.” 

Over the past 28 years, Kansas City has received more than $40 million in federal grants to support brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Transformative projects such as the Zhou B Art Center, Faxon School Apartments, and the ALDI grocery store at 39th & Prospect were all made possible through previous EPA Brownfields funding. 

"This is a milestone in restoring neighborhoods that have long been overlooked," said Melissa Patterson Hazley, 3rd District at Large Councilmember. "With this EPA investment, we’re taking a major step toward transforming once-blighted vacant lots into vibrant, livable spaces. It shows that real results come when we commit to solving hard problems with bold, collaborative, and community-focused solutions."

"This funding allows us to move faster and smarter when it comes to transforming vacant properties into something that serves our neighborhoods," said Mario Vasquez, City Manager of Kansas City. "These dollars will help us build affordable housing, create jobs, and deliver visible progress in communities that have historically been left behind. We’re grateful to the EPA for their partnership and proud to keep pushing forward on projects that make a difference block by block." 

Kansas City’s Brownfields Program plays a vital role in turning contaminated or abandoned properties into community assets—from housing and retail space to parks and public facilities. 

To learn more, visit kcmo.gov/brownfields. 

### 

Media with questions may contact Sherae Honeycutt, Press Secretary of Kansas City, at Sherae.Honeycutt@kcmo.org.