WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 21, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Another Columbus brownfield is ready for redevelopment after undergoing an investigation and remediation through Ohio EPA’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP), thanks to the voluntary efforts of 582 West Goodale LLC, the city of Columbus, Wagenbrenner Development Inc., and The Goodale Apartments LLC (the current property owner).
Ohio EPA issued a covenant not to sue for the approximately 3.4-acre former Kimball Midwest property located at 582 W. Goodale St. in Columbus (Franklin County). The property was used in the late 1800s as a metal foundry and later for pharmaceutical production and distribution. The property is being developed into apartments.
By entering the VAP, they assumed responsibility for remediating the property. Following standards developed by Ohio EPA, the volunteers hired a certified environmental professional to assess the site, identify any areas of concern and remediate any contamination on the property to a level that allows for modified residential redevelopment (apartments without basements). There are no ground water use restrictions.
The investigation identified areas of the property consisting of waste and raw materials associated with historic industrial activities at the site. Levels of lead and benzo(a)pyrene in soil exceeded applicable standards. The remediation included excavating more than 25,000 tons of soil; installing a protective soil cover; removing asbestos-containing materials from buildings prior to demolition; and establishing an environmental covenant to limit use of the property.
A covenant not to sue protects the property’s owners or operators and future owners from being legally responsible to the State of Ohio for further environmental investigation and remediation. This protection applies only when the property is used and maintained in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covenant.
In the 18 years since Ohio EPA issued the first covenant under VAP, more than 8,000 acres of blighted land have been revitalized at nearly 400 sites across the state.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1972 to consolidate efforts to protect and improve air quality, water quality and waste management in Ohio. In the past 40 years, air pollutants dropped by as much as 90 percent; large rivers meeting standards improved from 21 percent to 89 percent; and hundreds of polluting, open dumps were replaced with engineered landfills and an increased emphasis on waste reduction and recycling. Ohio EPA — 40 years and moving forward.
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER: (614) 644-2160
MEDIA CONTACT: Erin Strouse
erin.strouse (at) epa.ohio (dot) gov
CITIZEN CONTACT: Amber Finkelstein
amber.finkelstein (at) epa.ohio (dot) gov
