Major Downtown Revitalization Project Set for Fort Payne with $1.5M EPA Grant

Fort Payne is set to undergo a major transformation, thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The funding will be used to restore and redevelop several abandoned warehouses along two blocks of Gault Avenue, a key corridor in the city’s downtown area.

The grant, part of the EPA’s Brownfields Assessment program, will support property inspections to determine whether environmental cleanup is needed before redevelopment can begin. The goal is to ensure the area is safe and suitable for new uses, potentially revitalizing an important section of the city.

The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) will oversee the assessment process. This includes reviewing historical records and prior usage of the buildings in question. Depending on the findings, the properties may undergo environmental remediation or simply be rebranded and prepared for redevelopment.

The funding was secured with assistance from TARCOG and Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter. Officials believe the project could significantly boost the local economy by removing blighted structures and opening the space to new commercial opportunities.

Fort Payne is one of three Alabama cities included in this round of the EPA’s Brownfields Assessment Grant, along with Athens and Gurley. The full evaluation process could take up to four years, with environmental cleanup and restoration to follow if needed.

Once the site is cleared and ready, the City of Fort Payne plans to sell the roughly three-acre property to developers. City leaders have expressed interest in seeing the space used for local shops, dining establishments, and community-oriented venues that will enhance the walkability and vibrancy of the downtown area.

Community input will play a role in shaping the final vision for the space, with public meetings scheduled for August.