The San Francisco City Council meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on environmental concerns related to the redevelopment of the 2550 Irving property. Key discussions centered around the potential contamination of the site and the measures in place to ensure safety for future residents and the surrounding community.
During the meeting, officials addressed questions regarding existing environmental issues, particularly concerning the presence of PCE (perchloroethylene) contamination. It was confirmed that there were no new concerns beyond those previously discussed in a February hearing. The site management plan, which includes air monitoring and dust control measures, was deemed satisfactory to mitigate risks associated with construction activities.
David Gruna, president of Path Forward Partners, presented findings from extensive environmental investigations conducted at the site. He emphasized that recent tests showed no detectable levels of PCE in soil, groundwater, or soil gas within the historical building's footprint. This conclusion supports earlier assessments that the site does not pose additional contamination risks compared to existing conditions.
Gruna also addressed the appellant's claims regarding soil vapor extraction (SVE) as a remediation method. He clarified that the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) had evaluated and rejected the use of SVE, citing the absence of a significant contamination source on-site. Instead, the DTSC advocates for ongoing investigations to identify the source of PCE contamination from off-site locations.
The meeting concluded with a call for resources to be redirected towards identifying and addressing the off-site contamination source, allowing for the redevelopment of the 2550 Irving property to proceed without further delays. The council's decision reflects a commitment to balancing environmental safety with urban development needs in San Francisco.