Council to consider accepting Eaton property for brownfield assessment; committee to send resolution to council

The Gallatin City Council committee voted on May 13 to send a resolution to the full council authorizing staff to pursue a previously awarded brownfield-assessment grant and to continue work related to two properties: the former TDOT/furniture site donated to the Sumner County Museum and the Eaton property (historically Yale-Luck manufacturing). Rosemary Bates briefed the committee and said the city received a brownfield assessment grant that covers Phase I environmental reviews at no local cost.

Bates said the Sumner County Museum property had a Phase I completed and the state is determining whether a Phase II is required. The Eaton property – a former manufacturing site with a large concrete pad – is being offered to the city for potential donation. Eaton’s representatives have indicated willingness to let the city perform Phase I (and Phase II if needed) and have asked whether the city would accept the property regardless of assessment findings; Bates said there is also a follow-up remediation grant that could pay cleanup costs if the city acquires the property and remediation is necessary.

Staff requested permission to pursue the assessment and to bring a resolution to council authorizing acceptance of the grant and next steps. The committee approved sending that resolution to council; staff said a formal resolution and any necessary purchase or donation terms will be presented to the council at the next meeting.

Ending Bates asked council to consider the potential public benefits of bringing the formerly industrial Eaton site under city control so it can be remediated, repurposed or held until grant-funded remediation is available.