Redeveloping Brownfields Revitalizes Rock Falls Riverfront

Once the home to numerous manufacturers, rural Rock Falls, Illinois, has struggled with the economic and environmental impacts of industrial departure. The manufacturing downturn left behind abandoned properties in need of redevelopment.

With multiple contaminated sites, the city of Rock Falls turned to Terracon as their brownfields remediation and redevelopment partner. Together, we pursued Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Grant funding to revitalize the riverfront area.

Partnering with City Officials to Coordinate Brownfields Grants

Our team dug into the project, helping familiarize city officials with their options and the brownfields grant application process. Over 20 years, Terracon collaborated with Rock Falls officials, and the U.S. and Illinois environmental protection agencies, to apply for EPA site assessment and cleanup grants.

The end result: more than $2.2 million dollars in federal and state funding to remediate environmental hazards from riverfront properties.

“This site really has been what we like to consider the poster child of success,” said Rock Falls City Administrator Robbin Blackert. “… it was all about our partnership with Terracon … you had to have that expertise. We’re just very fortunate to have a trusted partner with Terracon.”

A Revitalized Riverfront

From site evaluation to needs design to redevelopment, the riverfront took on new life. The former brownfields have now been redeveloped into a hotel, a run-walk-bike park, and a lush public green space.

After starting as an area with significantly lowered property values, the investment ignited development in other areas as well. Restaurants and music venues also opened, bringing new livelihoods, community vibrancy, and improved quality of life.

Brownfields Oversight Support

Since 1999, Terracon has helped communities across the country secure more than $71 million in EPA Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup, and Multipurpose grants. Learn how our professionals can help your community develop a brownfields program. For more information on our brownfields services, visit https://www.terracon.com/services/environmental/brownfields-and-site-redevelopment/