News Release: 6/2/2025

For Immediate Release

Galesburg Awarded Over $1.2 Million in EPA Brownfield Grants to Support Environmental Cleanup and Revitalization

Contact:  Steve Gugliotta, Director of Community Development

Phone:    309-345-3619

Galesburg, IL (May 29, 2025)  The City of Galesburg is proud to announce it has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to receive two Brownfield Grants totaling $1,213,600. The awards include a $500,000 Assessment Grant and a $713,600 Cleanup Grant through the EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization.

These funds will help address the environmental impacts of historically contaminated properties, paving the way for community revitalization and economic development. The City has been notified of the awards and is now working to submit all required documentation. It is anticipated that the project period for both grants will be October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2029, although the entire timeframe may not be required for project completion.

Cleanup Grant: Remediation of the Former Knox Laundry Site

The $713,600 Cleanup Grant will support environmental remediation efforts at the former Knox Laundry site, located at the property previously known as 57 N. Kellogg Street/332 E. Ferris Street. Operated as a retail laundry since 1898 and later expanded into a multi-story dry-cleaning facility, the property was vacated and condemned due to its deteriorated condition and ultimately demolished by court order in 2006–2007. Terminating the business operations and removing former structures has stopped the potential for any continuing releases of contamination into our environment, but until the site is fully remediated, the potential for redevelopment is very limited.

The City plans to use grant funds to address remaining contamination, specifically targeting soils impacted above saturation limits. The project will include treatment of affected areas and installation of an engineered barrier, such as pavement, to safely limit potential exposure and prepare the site for future redevelopment.

Assessment Grant: Evaluating Brownfield Sites for Redevelopment

The $500,000 Assessment Grant will be used to evaluate and plan for the safe reuse of properties with suspected contamination. Key sites identified for initial assessment include:

·         Former Broadview Hotel (29 Public Square): Demolished by court order due to safety violations, this property hosted various businesses, including a filling station dating back to 1927.

·         Former Tucker's Printing Company (175, 179, 193 N. Cherry Street): Recently demolished in 2024 after a second major fire, the site has a long industrial history that raises environmental concerns.

Pending available funding, additional priority sites will be selected from a Brownfields Inventory developed in 2023 by Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program and environmental consultants at Terracon.

A Step Toward a Safer, Stronger Community

"We are honored by the EPA's selection and grateful for their support in helping us turn these underutilized properties into assets for the community," said Steve Gugliotta, Director of Community Development. “These grants will help improve environmental safety, promote redevelopment, and attract future investment to our city.”

In addition to funding, the City will benefit from ongoing EPA technical assistance throughout the project period. The Assessment Grant will support efforts to identify and evaluate hazardous materials, while the Cleanup Grant will directly support the mitigation of contaminants and site improvements—ultimately fostering new development opportunities and enhancing public health.