Henderson plans to earmark EPA grant funds for Boulder corridor cleanup

The city of Henderson recently received a $550,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to help clean up the Boulder Highway Corridor.

“Redevelopment on Boulder Highway and on the east side has been in the works,” said Lisa Corrado, the long-range planning manager and community development specialist for the city of Henderson. “It’s exciting to be getting resources from the federal government to help implement our plan.”

About 8 miles of the corridor extends into Henderson. On the stretch, there have been a variety of auto-related businesses from dealerships to gas stations.

“It’s not uncommon that some of these sites might have residual materials left over,” Corrado said.

The city will be conducting this project over the next three years to determine if there is any environmental contamination from previous owners that needs to be cleaned up before a new business can set up.

Henderson has looked at a variety of grants to revitalize certain areas of town. Cleaning up the Boulder Highway Corridor is one aspect that could help to bring new business to the city.

The city has previously worked with entities such as the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada to provide better access to the area. In 2008, it adopted the Boulder Highway Corridor Investment Strategy in efforts to transform the area.

Now, with the new federal funding, which was awarded through the Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup, the city can clean up the area to further help with revitalization efforts.

Corrado added that other areas of town, such as Maryland Parkway, have received similar grants.

— Michael Lyle, Henderson View staff writer