What is a Brownfield?
A “brownfield” is a property that has, or may be perceived to have, environmental impacts. The potential presence of hazardous substances, petroleum, or presence of regulated building materials (e.g., asbestos, lead paint) may impede reuse or redevelopment opportunities for the property. By completing environmental site assessment and cleanup activities, it is possible to transform brownfields from liabilities into assets of benefit to the landowners and the community.
Project Overview
In 2022, the City of Trinidad used its EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant to sampling building materials inside the former Holy Trinity Convent and School building at 237 Church Street in Trinidad for asbestos and lead paint. Both asbestos and lead paint were found, presenting an expensive challenge to reusing this long-vacant building. The property owner obtained cost estimates for cleanup of these materials and began evaluating sources of cleanup funding. The property owner, Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center, applied for an EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant to address the asbestos and lead paint and unlock the building’s redevelopment potential.
In 2023, the local nonprofit Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center was awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Cleanup Grant to remediate the asbestos and lead paint. Grant funds will be used to abate asbestos and lead paint inside the building, and conduct community engage activities to share news of the project.
The long-term reuse vision is to transform the former school and convent into apartments, a hostel, and bar/restaurant while maintaining the building’s historic character.
Mt. Carmel is working with the EPA, History Colorado, Stantec Consulting Services, and the City of Trinidad to bring this building back into use as an asset for the Trinidad community.
EPA Brownfield Grant Program Goals
• Support local initiatives that stimulate investment and economic development.
• Transform blighted areas into safe, viable spaces that enhance our neighborhoods.
• Restore the environment and protect human health.
• Create public-private partnerships that will leverage funding for redevelopment projects.
• Gather and utilize public input to identify priority redevelopment areas, plans and strategies.
Holy Trinity Convent and School Building History
The stately 53,477‐square‐foot building is located in El Corazon de Trinidad and consists of three interconnected buildings standing on the site of Trinidad’s first public school founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1873 (since demolished). The oldest portion of the building, built by the Catholic Archdiocese in 1885 as Holy Trinity High School, is a three‐story building of red brick and decorative masonry and stone.
The three‐story convent (designed by the Rapp Brothers Architecture Firm, responsible for many notable historic buildings in Trinidad), was added to the west side of the original building in 1921. A four‐story addition was built on the east side of the original building in 1947 to expand the school. The building housed a convent and school until 2004, when it was closed due to lack of funding.
The cleanup…
is anticipated to begin in late 2023/early 2024 and continue. Cleanup activities will be contained in the building interior. The project will cause little to no disturbance of the surrounding area.
Community Engagement
Project news and information will be posted periodically on this webpage.
Project Documents
Contact
For more information about the project, contact Tim Lamb (TLamb@phillong.com).
Tim Lamb
General Counsel
Phil Long Dealerships, Inc.
719-575-7107
tlamb@phillong.com
Cindy
719-575-7106