Brownfields in Lisbon
In 1994, Congress and the Clinton Administration authorized the “Brownfields Tax Incentive to Speed Up Urban Cleanup, Redevelopment.” Seeing success in the tax incentive, and realizing there were many more opportunities, in January 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was signed into federal law. By definition, Brownfields are “Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” Essentially, a Brownfield site is a property where re-development is impeded because of contamination, real or perceived. The key benefits of Brownfields redevelopment include:
- The protection of public health and the environment through cleanup of commercial/industrial properties.
- Slowing of “urban sprawl” by encouraging reuse of properties.
- Increased tax revenues.
- Use of existing infrastructure (e.g. roads, rail, water, sewer).
- The creation of new jobs.
- The revitalization of declining commercial/industrial based communities.
Lisbon has received a $500,000.00 Community Wide Brownfield Assessment Grant from the EPA that runs from October 2025 through Sept 2029. This will help us identify barriers to redevelopment and work to remove those barriers, real or perceived, so that redevelopment can proceed and the property can once again become an active part of our community and taxes can once again be contributed to our community.
A three-step approach is used before developing sites that may be contaminated.
Phase I is an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), which includes research on the history of the site.
Phase II ESA involves environmental testing to determine the extent of contamination.
The last step is the establishment of a cleanup plan.
The EPA requires communities to work with QEPs (Qualified Environmental Professionals) to manage the Brownfields process. The Town of Lisbon has partnered with TRC Engineers to help run its Brownfields program. Learn more about TRC and their role here (external site) . TRC is located at 63 Marginal Way, 4_th_ Floor, Portland, ME 04101. Phone (207) 879-1930
Community participation in the Brownfields Assessment Program increases the success of this important work. Community members will be asked to submit ideas and input about potential redevelopment sites and public meetings will be held to further explain this program, answer questions, and inform the community about the progress that has been made.
If you have any questions, please contact the Program Coordinator, Ross Cunningham at 207-353-3000 x122 or Rcunningham@lisbonme.org
Ready to apply to have your property considered? Simply click the link below and fill in the required info.
Brownfields Assessment Program Application
Historical Efforts
In 2016, the Town of Lisbon received a similar assessment grant from EPA for $200,000.00. This grant was used to
evaluate the following properties for redevelopment. Documentation of the closing report is available upon request.
Former Graziano’s Casa Mia Restaurant (241 Lisbon Street)
o Phase I ESA, dated September 5, 2017.
Millers Block (689 Lisbon Street)
o Phase I ESA, dated July 7, 2017;
o Investigative Survey Report for Asbestos and Other Hazardous Materials, dated 12/21/2017; and
o Phase II ESA, dated December 21, 2017.
Lewis Auto Sales, Inc. (8 Lisbon Street)
o Phase I ESA (including a PHBMI), dated September 5, 2017
Worumbo Mill (1 Canal Street)
o Phase I ESA, dated December 21, 2018;
o Phase II ESA, dated May 10, 2019;
o Supplemental Phase II ESA, dated September 17, 2019; and
o VRAP Application, dated October 23, 2019.
Lemay’s Auto Body (214 Lisbon Street)
o Phase I ESA, dated January 8, 2021.
Farwell Mill Properties (244 Lisbon Street)
o Phase I ESA, dated June 23, 2021; and
o Limited Asbestos and Other Hazardous Materials Survey Report, dated November 2, 2021.
This page is a work in progress, please check back often for updates as we get this program up and running.
We appreciate your patience