On Wednesday, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $1.76 million in Site Remediation Grants from the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund. The City of Martinsville received $189,500 for the former BB&T building, now known as One Ellsworth.
Brownfields are properties in which redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the presence of hazardous materials, pollution, or contaminants. The Site Remediation Grants will cover efforts that include remediation of a contaminated property to remove hazardous substances and wastes, demolition and removal of existing structures, and other site work necessary to make a site or property usable for new economic development. In addition to Site Remediation Grants, Site Assessment Grants are available to communities to assist with environmental and cultural resource site assessments and develop remediation and reuse plans.
With 69 one- and two-bedroom apartment homes, commercial space dedicated to food and entertainment, and a new mountain-view rooftop event space, One Ellsworth is set to play a vital role in revitalizing Uptown Martinsville.
“When I joined the City, Mayor Jones emphasized the importance of the One Ellsworth Project to revitalizing Uptown Martinsville,” said City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. “The Brownfield Site grant will provide funding for asbestos removal, allowing the developer to move forward to the next phase of their plans.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing this project move along as we plan to see more grant announcements involving redevelopment in the near future,” said Community Development Director Keith Holland.
For more information on the Virginia Brownfield Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund, visit vedp.org/brownfields.