As part of the state’s new Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, the City of Loveland has received a $3.3 million grant for cleanup/remediation of the Chestnut Street Property.
The 8.33-acre Chestnut Street Property, which the city has owned since 1979, served as a sand and gravel quarry prior to 1932 but became a site for uncontrolled dumping. Past environmental studies, commissioned by the city, have discovered lead contamination in the soil and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination in groundwater, along with significant amounts of other solid waste requiring disposal.
Until now, remedial services to bring the site to a point of approval from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been cost-prohibitive, limiting the city’s ability to sell the property to potential buyers or to pay for remediation to maintain for city use.
Then, in late 2021, the Ohio Department of Development announced a new grant program for the remediation of brownfield sites to prepare such sites for future economic development. In response to this opportunity, City Council secured the services of Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc to assist with the submission of the grant application.
With the approved grant funds, the Chestnut Street Property will be excavated, and the excavated materials will be transported off-site for disposal at appropriately licensed facilities. Groundwater will be treated, and two years of groundwater monitoring activities will be completed to confirm the effectiveness of the remediation efforts.
After remediation, the property gains marketability for commercial or light industrial developments — effectively turning the Chestnut Street Property into a job-producing, tax-generating site, which could have a ripple effect on the surrounding Loveland-Madeira Road Corridor — a major focus of the city’s soon-to-be-completed Comprehensive Master Plan.
“It is rare that a funding opportunity of this magnitude — so aligned with the project needs — became available,” said City Manager David Kennedy. “The goal of clearing the environmental hurdles that allow the Chestnut Street Property to finally meet its economic development potential has always been a focus of the city.”
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of Patriot Engineering with the submission of this application. Their expertise was crucial in the city securing these funds,” Kennedy added.
The City of Loveland was among 77 other grant recipients across Ohio. The Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program is offering $60 million in grants for local communities, according to the Ohio Department of Development.
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