Transforming
Brownfields

Globeville Valley Redevelopment

Brownfield and Underutilized Property Inventory

Brownfield
Assessments

Brownfield Assessments

Groundwork Denver is working with Trust for Public Land and EPA Region 8 to provide Phase I brownfield assessments on two parcels that will become part of the Platte River Greenway.

Riverside Cemetery, established in 1876, is Denver's oldest cemetery. Riverside remained the area's most significant cemetery until the mid-20th century, and retains importance for scholars studying the early history of Denver. The cemetery's final grave site was assigned in July 2005; the management company, Fairmount Cemetery Inc., indicated that they would not accept further burials after that, because they were losing money. The site had no water rights and water from the Burlington Ditch was no longer available after 2003 and costs were prohibitive to connect to City water. Fairmount has stopped watering and cut back drastically on services, claiming that their endowment was not enough to water the property and properly maintain all the graves. Today, the neighborhood is largely industrial, surrounded by a gas station, smokestacks, train tracks, and an industrial park, a few blocks from Interstate 70 that is starting to transition to other uses. The site has 13 acres of wetlands adjacent to the South Platte River. A proposal has been made to the property owners by the Trust for Public Land to purchase the parcels in order to protect part of Denver's history by maintaining the historic cemetery as open space. The project will also protect 13 acres of wetlands adjacent to the South Platte River to continue to provide water quality improvements.

3728 Arkins Court is three lots with one small house built in 1895. Based on the age, there is potential for asbestos and lead based paint on the property as well as contamination from the largely industrial uses that surround the site. Trust for Public Land is planning to purchase the property and later sell to the City and County of Denver for a small pocket park along the Platte River.

The Targeted Brownfield Assessments on these properties will allow TPL and the City of Denver to fully understand the potential contamination on the site before purchase.