Council hears plan to lease contaminated parcels to Siena/Francis House to pursue EPA brownfield grant

City attorneys and Siena/Francis House representatives outlined a plan for the city to grant a 99‑year ground lease of several parcels adjacent to Siena/Francis House’s campus so the nonprofit could qualify to apply for an EPA brownfield cleanup grant. David Levy of the Barnholm law firm said the lease provides the ownership interest the EPA requires for a grant application, but cautioned that the cleanup is complex and estimated at roughly $3,000,000.

Levy said the arrangement would allow Siena/Francis House to apply for the brownfield grant and, if successful, undertake remediation and then take fee title to the property. He explained the lease requires Siena/Francis House to pursue grant applications (with at least two application attempts before the city could reclaim the parcels) and said remediation could begin as early as next fall if the grant is awarded on schedule. "To apply for such a grant, one has to own the property," Levy told council, explaining the legal rationale for the lease.

Public commenters included supporters who encouraged the cleanup and opponents who urged the organization to improve current site maintenance and client management. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about timeline, expected public notice and contingencies if grants are not awarded; Levy confirmed remediation timing is contingent on the grant cycle (application due in January) and that the lease contains options if the grant is not obtained.

At the end of the discussion the city asked for a vote at the next meeting to meet the EPA application timeline; there was no recorded final vote on the lease at this meeting.