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Commission approves up to $30,000 for Phase 2 environmental testing at Smith Brothers property
Summary
The commission approved funding up to $30,000 from the railroad TIF district to perform a Phase 2 environmental investigation at the Smith Brothers site to assess contamination and remediation needs and to support possible insurance recovery actions.
The Columbia City Economic Development Commission voted May 13 to approve up to $30,000 from the railroad tax-increment financing (TIF) allocation area to commission a Phase 2 environmental investigation of the Smith Brothers property.
Staff said the Phase 1 report has been completed and returned with no unexpected findings, but the Phase 2 work is necessary because previously unknown pits and trench drains were discovered near the old Bonflex building. The Phase 2 will include additional sampling to determine the extent of contamination and remediation needs and should provide information needed for potential insurance-recovery actions.
Staff estimated a Phase 2 cost range of $20,000 to $30,000 and recommended authorizing up to $30,000; commissioners approved the authorization and specified the funds would come from the railroad TIF account. Staff said the report is expected to be available around the June commission meeting.
Staff also said the city’s environmental counsel is researching historical insurance policies and pursuing potential claims as part of a long-term cleanup and redevelopment strategy similar to past work on the LML site. Staff plans to submit documentation to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) before acquisition to seek clarity on liability during redevelopment.
The commission’s action authorizes the Phase 2 investigation; it does not commit to property acquisition or remediation beyond the study.
