FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Property owners across northern Arizona still have an opportunity to receive free environmental assessments aimed at helping properties return to productive use and supporting future redevelopment.
More than 36 properties in Coconino, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties have already received assessments through the Northern Arizona Property Revitalization Program.
The voluntary program provides environmental assessments at no cost to property owners. Once an assessment is completed, owners are not required to spend any money, complete cleanup work or take any other action based on the findings.
The assessments can help identify potential environmental concerns that may otherwise make a property difficult to sell, lease, finance or redevelop, particularly when a property’s previous uses are poorly documented.
“Free environmental assessments can be the first step toward returning properties to productive use,” Coconino County District 1 Supervisor and Board Chair Patrice Horstman said. “We encourage property owners and community members to nominate sites now so we can continue building momentum for redevelopment, historic preservation, housing, tourism, business attraction and job creation.”
Funding through the program can be used for site inventories, community outreach, environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead-based paint sampling and cleanup, and planning for the future reuse of properties.
Although the program has a particular focus on communities along and near the historic Route 66 corridor, properties elsewhere within Coconino, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties may also qualify.
Officials say environmental assessments can help reduce uncertainty surrounding potential liabilities while making properties more attractive to investors and developers. The information gathered can also help property owners and communities pursue additional cleanup funding or move forward with redevelopment plans.
The Northern Arizona Property Revitalization Program is supported by a $1.5 million grant awarded to the Northern Arizona Council of Governments and its Route 66 Brownfield Coalition partners.
Funding is available through September 2028 or until the grant money is exhausted. More than half of the available funding has already been spent, and officials are encouraging interested property owners to submit nominations as soon as possible.
Property owners and community members can learn more about the program and nominate a property through the Northern Arizona Council of Governments website at nacog.org/fact-sheets-for-property-owners-public.
