PARK CITY, Utah — Park City Municipal Corporation is taking significant steps towards environmental remediation by seeking public feedback on its application for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant. This initiative is specifically aimed at funding cleanup efforts on the five-acre Bonanza Park site located at 1665 Bonanza Drive. The city is particularly focused on addressing the environmental challenges posed by the site, which has been identified as containing contaminated soil and groundwater. A public meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, with an option for residents to participate via video conference. This meeting is an essential platform for community members to voice their opinions and gain insights into the proposed remediation plans. In preparation for the meeting, the draft grant application will be accessible for public review beginning January 19, both at City Hall and online. Residents and stakeholders who wish to provide written comments can do so by emailing Ryan Blair at ryan.blair@parkcity.gov until January 25. The EPA's Brownfields Cleanup Grant program is designed to assist communities in cleaning up properties that are contaminated or potentially contaminated, enabling safe reuse for various purposes. Park City is seeking a substantial $2 million in funding through this grant, which city officials believe will cover comprehensive remediation activities. These activities include the excavation of contaminated soil, transportation of the material, oversight of the cleanup process, and confirmation activities to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Notably, no local match is required for the grant, which is a significant financial relief for the city. City spokesperson Clayton Scrivner emphasized that the grant program targets eligible public entities or nonprofits that have ownership or control over the site, ruling out private developers. Since Park City Municipal is the property owner of the Bonanza Park parcel, it is the sole applicant for this grant. Scrivner clarified that there is no co-application with Brinshore Development, the firm selected to oversee future redevelopment plans for the area. Ryan Blair, Park City’s property and environmental service manager, elaborated on the findings of a Phase II environmental assessment conducted in January 2024, which revealed approximately 28,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil on the property. The assessment indicated the presence of metal contamination in the soil, while groundwater was found to be impacted by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although the concentrations of VOCs were above residential Volatile Industrial Soil Levels (VISL), they remained below the regulatory screening levels set by environmental authorities. Blair noted that the city had previously applied for this grant during the last fiscal year but was not successful due to a lack of sufficient scoring. In light of feedback from the EPA, Park City has updated its application to align more closely with the agency's revised guidelines. The competitive nature of the grant program means that the city is keen to present a robust application to secure the necessary funding. The proposed cleanup strategy is informed by the recommendations outlined in the Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) report. Blair indicated that the city’s approach entails the partial excavation and removal of the most heavily impacted soil, estimated at between 12,000 to 21,000 cubic yards. The remaining soil, which meets background levels, will be capped in compliance with Park City’s soil ordinance to mitigate any potential risks associated with residual contamination. As it stands, the site is currently under the protection of Park City’s Soil Cover Ordinance, which mandates a cap over the contaminated areas. If the grant is awarded, Blair anticipates that remediation efforts will commence concurrently with redevelopment activities, likely beginning in 2027 and concluding by 2029. However, he cautioned that timelines could be unpredictable due to potential federal-level disruptions. This grant application is part of a broader initiative to prepare the Bonanza Park parcel for future redevelopment. In 2025, Park City selected Brinshore Development to spearhead the planning and execution of redevelopment efforts aimed at transforming the site into a functional and community-oriented space. Residents interested in participating in this process can do so in several ways: by attending or viewing the public meeting on January 12, reviewing the draft grant application after January 19, and submitting comments via email until January 25. The city encourages active community involvement as it navigates this crucial phase in environmental remediation and future development plans for Bonanza Park.