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Cleanup delays at former steam/diesel plants stall redevelopment work; city seeks demolition and Brownfields grants
Summary
Planning staff reported that EPA/CERCLA cleanup and contractor issues delayed release of former steam plant property; the city has applied for a $4 million cleanup grant and said asbestos removal and site clearance must finish before bids and redevelopment can proceed.
City staff told the planning board that federal cleanup activity and contractor delays at the former steam and diesel plant complex have slowed the city’s Brownfields and redevelopment initiatives.
Why it matters: the site is part of broader local efforts to reuse former industrial properties, attract economic development and repair the Mill Pond/river corridor. Staff said asbestos abatement work at the steam plant has been extensive and that EPA Superfund/CERCLA contractors must clear the site before the city can proceed with demolition and Brownfields remediation work for the diesel plant.
Staff reported the city has applied for a multilateral cleanup grant (the meeting noted a $4,000,000 cleanup grant application). The city’s ability to advertise demolition and remediation work depends on the federal cleanup program releasing the property; staff said the federal team had pushed back completion dates several times but that Circular/EPA representatives expected to release the site by the end of the month. Until the site is released, city consultants cannot finalize bids or begin work the Brownfields grant would cover.
The board also discussed dam and Mill Pond work tied to fish passage. Members said the Mill Pond project requires a fishway design and that securing appropriate fishway expertise is slowing design work; they raised the possibility of coordinating with local fish/conservation groups. Staff noted there is an existing fishway at the Aroostook River dam; the board flagged design and regulatory coordination needs before hydro or fishway work could proceed.
No formal decision was made; staff will continue to coordinate with EPA/CERCLA partners, consultants and potential grant sources and return updates to the board.
