Brownfields Program

Brownfields are properties that may contain pollutants or hazardous materials, making it harder to safely rebuild or reuse. Removing the pollutants and hazardous materials is called remediation. The process is often difficult and costly, requiring advanced planning and meticulous operational detail.

The Citywide Brownfields Program assists with redevelopment of Los Angeles properties where the presence of hazardous substances (often left behind by former gas stations, battery plants, or dry cleaners) complicates land reuse. By addressing contaminants in soil and groundwater, the program clears the path for vacant or blighted sites to be transformed into vibrant commercial, residential, and recreational spaces, with a specific focus on driving renewal in disadvantaged communities. The team also assist with grant applications, and those grant awards support revitalization efforts by funding environmental assessment, cleanup, and job training activities. 

Since its inception, LASAN's Brownfields program has been a collaborative effort, with staff working alongside property owners, community organizations, and City Council offices to oversee assessment and cleanup. This innovative approach has earned significant acclaim. Established in 1998, it was one of only 16 programs nationwide to be designated as a Federal Brownfields Showcase Community. 

US EPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant – 94th & Broadway Cleanup project
In January 2026, the Citywide Brownfields Program held an in-person community workshop at the Los Angeles Council District 8 Constituent Service Center. The session aimed to notify residents of the City's plan to seek a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Cleanup Grant for the property at 9402 South Broadway, Los Angeles. Attendees had the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the draft grant application and the preliminary Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA). Please stay tuned for further updates on this project's advancement.

You can watch the news coverage of the community meeting, detailing the project and the grant here. 

EPA Community Wide Assessment Grant  
In May 2025, the Citywide Brownfields Program was awarded a $500,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community-Wide Assessment Grant to assess underutilized properties across the City of Los Angeles. This funding will support Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), community engagement efforts, updates to the brownfield site inventory, and the development of cleanup plans. By addressing contamination risks and engaging local communities, the grant will help transform blighted areas into sustainable spaces for future development while protecting public health and the environment. The program is currently in the initial planning stages of the grant, which will be implemented over the next four years.

Slauson Wall Remediation Update
The Citywide Brownfields Program is making significant strides at the Slauson & Wall remediation site, a 7-acre City-owned lot in Council District 9. Following the discovery and removal of several underground storage tanks, the program successfully secured a closure letter from the Los Angeles Fire Department. Soil excavation is complete, and a revised Remedial Action Completion Report has been submitted to the regulatory oversight agency. The team is now planning mitigation measures and additional soil vapor sampling, which are anticipated to take place during the summer of 2026. The cleanup is funded by a $6.8 million Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). For more information, please view the DTSC project profile.

Nature-Based Solutions 
The Citywide Brownfields Program is pilot testing the use of plants and fungi (phytoremediation) to remove contaminants from the soil. Preliminary results have shown promising results while the program is looking into additional pilots to continue testing this sustainable method of remediation.  

 

Adopt-A-Lot: North Hills Community Space and Garden
Through the City of LA’s Adopt-A-Lot pilot program, a once-vacant lot at Tupper Street and Columbus Avenue (Council District 7) has been transformed into a vibrant neighborhood hub. The site was "adopted" by the non-profit Pacoima Beautiful to bring a much-needed green space to the community. To ensure public safety, the Citywide Brownfields Program conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), confirming it did not have any environmental concerns and was safe for reuse.    

Blossom Plaza
The Blossom Plaza site is located in the Los Angeles Chinatown District, next to the Metro Gold Line Chinatown Light Rail Station. The site has a diverse history of uses dating back to the 1880s, including a former gasoline service station from 1930 to 1960.  Following extensive environmental assessments and remediation supported by the Citywide Brownfields Program, the site achieved regulatory case closure. It has since been transformed into an 83,000-square-foot mixed-use development featuring residential units and retail spaces. 

 

Please check out brownfields resources available at the following websites: 

Brownfields Reuse Guidance Documents [State of California DTSC]

Vapor Intrusion Attenuation Factor Study [State of California DTSC]

Emerging Contaminants [State of California DTSC ]

Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool: CalEnviroScreen [CA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment]

Contaminated Site Cleanup Information [U.S. EPA]

Emerging Contaminants [U.S. EPA]

Grant and Loan Programs [U.S. EPA]

Brownfields Tax Incentive [U.S. EPA]
 

If you have questions, please contact the Citywide Brownfields Program at sanBrownfieldsLA@lacity.org