The Houston Land Bank (HLB) has entered a land strategic partnership to transform the Velasco Incinerator site, which aims to transform the site, foster community development, and create lasting positive impacts for the 2nd Ward and surrounding area. 

 

In November 2023, the Houston Land Bank (HLB) entered into a land banking agreement with the City of Houston to allow for the beneficial reuse of the site for the community. Under the agreement, the City of Houston sold the former Velasco Incinerator site to HLB under the condition that HLB will work with strategic partners, local stakeholders, and the 2nd Ward community to create a green space and reuse plan for the site that promises tangible benefits for the local community and stewards the land to new responsible ownership.   

 

HLB has entered the site into the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and has been awarded $5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for brownfields cleanup. HLB is committed to working with various partners, including the City of Houston, TCEQ, EPA, and the 2nd Ward Community, to bring new life to this site and correct environmental issues. HLB diligently follows its established procedures while adhering to federal and state regulations for the remediation process.

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Community engagement, integrity of ethics and transparency, and meaningful partnerships with community stakeholders will be paramount to the success of this clean-up and reuse project. We have launched this website to communicate project status updates, reports, and other critical information.