Lukes is director of EPA-awarded unit

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit has received a “brownfields award” from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its role in revitalizing a former industrial site in St. Louis Park, now known as the Highway 7 Business Center.

Kristin Lukes, the director of the Brownfields and Redevelopment Unit in DEED, is a Woodbury resident.

Brownfields are former industrial and commercial sites where contaminants impede redevelopment.

"Minnesota has been very successful in transforming polluted, under-used property into thriving businesses," said DEED commissioner Dan McElroy. "This economic redevelopment project will create more than 350 jobs, generate more taxable income, and result in a cleaner environment and improved livability for St. Louis Park residents."

The 10-acre site, known as the National Lead/Golden Auto site, had been used primarily for lead smelting and auto salvage since 1940. The industrial operations and on-site waste disposal resulted in significant lead, cadmium, arsenic and petroleum contamination. The site was placed on both the federal and state Superfund lists in 1983. It was removed from these Superfund lists in 2001.

Real Estate Recycling, a leader in developing contaminated properties throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, conducted further cleanup, worked on redevelopment, contributed funds to the project, and purchased the site in 2006. The Highway 7 Business Center, an 80,000 square ft. modern office showroom, was completed in July 2007.

Tags: lukes, deed, brownfields, award