September 6, 2025
On November 14, 2025, in collaboration with Fehr Graham, Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) submitted a Brownfield Grant application to address environmental concerns at the Fairgrounds Valley property. This grant represents a pivotal opportunity to transform the area and prepare it for future redevelopment.
The Fairgrounds Valley property holds great potential for community redevelopment. The Brownfield Cleanup Grant, if awarded, will provide the necessary funding for environmental cleanup and remediation. This effort is a critical step in making the site safe and ready for new affordable housing opportunities that benefit the broader Rockford community.
This initiative is a responsible step toward managing properties that have been vacated and are no longer in use. While there are no plans for redevelopment on this site, RHA recognizes the importance of addressing environmental issues to protect the community and surrounding areas.
“Environmental stewardship is a key part of our work,” said an RHA representative. “We want to ensure that properties like Fairgrounds Valley are properly cleaned up and do not pose any risk to the community.”
RHA expects to hear back about the grant award in the spring of 2025. If approved, the cleanup work will begin shortly after, with oversight from environmental professionals to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The future of the Fairgrounds Valley property remains undetermined, this cleanup effort represents an important step in responsibly managing the land and ensuring its safety for years to come.
