PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, INC.
Notice of Intent to Apply for United State Environmental Protection
Agency Brownfields Cleanup Grant
WHAT: Public Involvement Meeting to discuss SWAPDD, Inc. application for a
Brownfield Cleanup Grant to remove asbestos from the Warner Brown Hospital
West Wing.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 at 5:00 PM
WHERE: Union County Courthouse
101 N Washington Ave, El Dorado, AR
Notice of Intent to submit an application for a United State Environmental Protection Agency
Brownfields Cleanup Grant by Southwest Arkansas Planning & Development District Inc. (SWAPDD, Inc.)
Public Notice is hereby given that SWAPDD, Inc. Brownfields Program intends to apply for the EPA
Brownfields Cleanup Grant funding for the asbestos abatement of the Warner Brown Hospital (West
Wing) prior to renovations. A public meeting will be held on November 7th regarding approval of a grant
application to the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain Brownfields funding for asbestos
abatement at the Warner Brown Hospital (West Wing). The property is to be redeveloped to better
serve the needs of the community. The Warner Brown Hospital (West Wing) was built by investors in
1920. Union County purchased the property in August of 2022, and SWAPDD, Inc. under Warranty Deed
and a Remediation Grant Agreement obtained ownership of the property for removal of asbestos.
Ownership reverts back to Union County once the property is abated of asbestos. The plans are to
renovate the property for possible college dorm rooms, rental property, offices, or other departments
under the Union County umbrella. The hospital was built in a time period where it was common practice
to use building materials that contain asbestos. Prior to any renovations asbestos containing materials
will need to be properly removed. SWAPDD, Inc. encourages Union County and El Dorado citizens,
business owners, and other interested stakeholders to attend the November 7th public meeting to be
held at the Union County Courthouse to provide feedback and comments about this project. Comments
on the application can be sent to jimmy.parker@arkansas.gov. A copy of the ABCA plan and grant
application are available at the Union County Courthouse, 101 N Washington Ave, El Dorado, AR 71730 for
more information about the Public Hearing please contact: Jimmy Parker, Brownfields Coordinator, 870
235-7521 or jimmy.parker@arkansas.gov.