Project Updates
Upcoming Activity
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May 2024 - Receive Award from EPA
The Houston Land Bank received a groundbreaking $5 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up the former Velasco Incinerator site. The Velasco Incinerator Cleanup Project is set to transform a historically underutilized and contaminated property into a valuable community asset, aligning with the broader mission of the Houston Land Bank to foster urban renewal and sustainable community development
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June 2024 - Quarterly Community Meeting - Juice & Justice Series
HLB will be hosting an environmental justice public meeting on:
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June 21st, 2024 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
307 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006
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June 2024 - Anticipated TCEQ Reporting
Findings and results from investigation activities conducted between February and May 2024 will be documented in an Affected Properties Assessment Report (APAR) for TCEQ, Anticipated submittal of the APARA to TCEQ is June 14th, 2024. The report will also be upload to this website following submission. This schedule is subject to change based on investigation findings.
Previous Activity
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April 2024 - Quarterly Community Meeting - Juice & Justice Series
HLB hosted an environmental justice public meeting on: 
April 5th, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m.
Axelrad Beer Garden
1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004
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February 2024 - Site Work Began
Work began at the former Velasco Incinerator site on February 26th, 2024; starting with the clearing of heavy vegetation from the property and performing site investigation activities. These activities are being done in such a way as not to disturb the buried waste or expose neighboring properties to contamination.
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November 2023 - HLB Banks Velasco
​A land banking agreement is established between the City of Houston and the Houston Land Bank (HLB) which transferred ownership to HLB. The City of Houston committed $800,000 to support HLB's predevelopment and environmental assessment activities. HLB enrolled the site in TCEQ's Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and applied for EPA Brownfield Cleanup funding.
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October 2023 - Public Comment Period
HLB hosted a public meeting on October 26th, 2023 to inform community stakeholders about the project and HLB's intentions to apply for an EPA Brownfields Cleanup grant. HLB offered a public comment period on the draft grant application and draft Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup (ABCA) reportAnalysis of Brownfields Cleanup (ABCA) report from October 23-October 30, 2023. HLB's responses to public comments can be found on the Documents page of this website.