Mount Vernon will hire a qualified firm to handle brownfield remediation at the South Sandusky Street Improvements project and the Mount Vernon Justice Center project after getting approval from City Council at its April 13 meeting.
The decision follows concerns about environmental contamination at several sites, including former railroad properties and city buildings. The council's action is intended to help secure grant funding for cleanup efforts, which are necessary before construction can proceed.
"This is a partnership with our Knox County Land Bank in reading into it and learning about it. It is a very complicated process because it involves the Department of Development and the Ohio EPA. We have to have a qualified firm that has a certified professional in those environmental elements, and if we don't do that, we have a very low chance of getting the grant," City Engineer Brian Ball said.
Ball added that the council previously authorized an application for brownfield remediation grants to clean up the South Sandusky Street/SR 13 project. Ball said the city already missed the first opportunity for a grant. However, an allocation for Knox County is supposed to reopen, giving the city a second chance at funding. The project is nearing construction and several buildings need to be demolished. Environmental assessments have been completed for the project. Two of the sites were part of the railroad and served as a coal oil and gas works. That triggers the potential need for a clean up, and the city may get funding for the work.
According to Ball, the previous Ohio Department of Transportation Director, John Marchbanks, said he's not allowed to build a road on coal waste. He said they need to build a road on quality material. A brownfields cleanup grant will help the city remove coal waste and other unsuitable materials from those sites. Once cleanup is completed, Ball said they hope to get a clean bill of health so adjacent areas could be used post-construction.
Ball said they are trying to include the city buildings north of 40 Public Square. They are not as contaminated, but some asbestos and other materials could help the city get some grants.
City Council member Mel Severns' motion to move the resolution to its final reading was approved. The resolution approved by city council on a 7-0 vote authorizes the Safety Service Director to enter into contracts related to brownfield remediation for the two projects.
