Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that 12 areas will qualify for the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program. Among them is the Batavia Opportunity Area in Genesee County, which consists of 366 acres with 75 potential Brownfield Cleanup sites within the Batavia Central Corridor. The main focus will be to clean up underutilized and vacant Brownfield sites, stabilize existing neighborhoods, and continue to revitalize the downtown business district. Hawley was proud to announce that these improvements will take place in his hometown and pledged to push for further environmental cleanups throughout his district.

“I am proud that communities in my district will now be able to reap the benefits of my work in the Legislature over the past few years and during this year’s budget negotiations,” Hawley said. “The Brownfield Cleanup Program allows properties to be reborn with the help of state grant money. These areas would have otherwise remained dormant due to their hazardous contaminants, and they would be viewed as a danger and an eyesore to local residents. I trust that local leaders will craft a plan for the Batavia site that attracts new businesses, creates jobs and improves the overall environmental quality of our area.”

Through the Brownfield Cleanup Program, the Department of State works with local leaders to develop a community vision for revitalization. Industrial/manufacturing sites, commercial corridors, residential areas, downtowns and waterfronts are among the main areas in which cleanups are common. For more information on applications and the Brownfield Cleanup Program itself, please click here.