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Redevelopment Commission approves amendment to close out cleanup at former Swanson Nunn site
Summary
The Evansville Redevelopment Commission voted to authorize an amendment with Terracon Consultants to complete final remediation tasks at the former Swanson Nunn property on Eighth Street, closing a multi-year settlement-funded cleanup the commission says began after legal action in 2011.
The Evansville Redevelopment Commission on March 18 approved Resolution 25 ERC 10, authorizing an amendment to an agreement with Terracon Consultants to complete voluntary remediation closeout activities at the former Swanson Nunn property on Eighth Street.
City staff told commissioners the work stems from a lawsuit begun under a prior administration to compel cleanup of the site, and that settlement proceeds with insurers funded most of the remediation. A staff presenter said the amendment covers final tasks including well closures and other engineering closeout steps and that the commission has expended its settlement proceeds: “I think we’re finally, finally at the end of the road,” the presenter said.
The commission discussed why multiple change orders were needed and whether Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requirements drove additional work. Commissioners were told that IDEM periodically requested further sampling or actions over the years, and that until required data were obtained, staff could not finalize closure activities. One commissioner asked whether settlement funds could be reopened if more work were required; staff responded that the settlement is nearly 15 years old and returning to insurers for more money was not a viable option. If additional funds were needed, the city would have to identify new funding or decline the work.
Staff said Terracon’s scope includes pulling monitoring wells and preparing a no-further-action type engineering closeout so the city can stop routine sampling and move the property into redevelopment. The presenter also said that quarterly to semiannual sampling over several years had shown improving results, and that once the engineering closeout is completed IDEM would not require further sampling from the city’s parcel, though adjacent property owners retain their own ongoing monitoring responsibilities.
Commissioners asked whether the site lies inside any existing tax-increment financing (TIF) district and discussed future redevelopment potential for the city-owned Eighth Street parking lot. Staff said the lot is used for parking but is city-owned and could be a redevelopment site; its placement relative to the Downtown TIF and Arts District was described as adjacent to the Arts District.
The commission voted in favor of the resolution. Commissioners who voted aye during the roll call included Commissioner Halsman, Commissioner Waffen, Commissioner Fusner, Commissioner McAllister and Commissioner Morley.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25 ERC 10: Approve amendment to agreement with Terracon Consultants for remediation closeout activities at the former Swanson Nunn property (Eighth Street parking lot). Outcome: approved (ayes recorded: Halsman, Waffen, Fusner, McAllister, Morley).
