PHOENIX – A $6,500 Brownfields grant has been awarded to the Gila County Historical Society of Globe to determine if there is asbestos and lead-based paint in a portion of the Gila County Historical Museum, according to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials.

The museum site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 1330 N. Broad Street. It was once the Globe-Miami Mine Rescue Station, which provided training in safety, first aid and mine rescue work. As the underground mines closed and mining companies took over safety training programs, the station was closed and turned over to the historical society in 1972.

The grant money will be used to assess the quantities and extent of asbestos containing materials and lead-based paint in the museum basement and other service areas in preparation for required upgrades and maintenance of the building. These assessments are to address issues of worker safety and exposures in these areas as well as make them safe for future use.

“This is an excellent example of how our Brownfields program makes Arizona communities better. In this case, a large benefit comes from a limited investment of money,” said ADEQ Director Henry Darwin.

ADEQ receives its Brownfields funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in order to assist local governments and nonprofits in addressing suspected contamination issues.

A Brownfield is an abandoned or under-used property with an active redevelopment potential that suffers from known or perceived environmental contamination. More information on Brownfields is available at http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/cleanup/success.html   back...