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Lake County staff updates BOCC on Monroe site contamination, brownfields grants and redevelopment options
Summary
County staff told commissioners the county holds a contaminated parcel near the southern Monroe site and has used brownfields grants to study contamination and possible remediation options including capped park uses, housing or an amphitheater; staff said federal and state brownfields funding has helped previous local remediation projects.
County staff briefed commissioners on the Monroe property, a county-owned parcel discussed as a potential redevelopment site. Staff said the site is suspected to contain mine shafts and slag and has not been remediated, though the county has completed historical analyses and received brownfields grants to study contamination.
"We know what's wrong with the site. We know where we think we're we're pretty certain where the mine shafts are underneath the site," staff said, noting the county has secured federal brownfields funding and worked with state environmental agencies to evaluate the parcel. Staff described options for the site including selling it, converting it to housing, creating a park, or building an amphitheater with a capped surface to address contamination risks.
Staff observed that capping contaminated areas with concrete can be an effective remediation strategy for some uses, and said the site's topography could support a terraced amphitheater with views toward the valley. They also noted a ditch bisects part of the parcel and that remediation and redevelopment choices will require coordination with EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Why it matters: the Monroe site is near utilities and centrally located; remediation choices could enable housing, community amenities or other uses that depend on grant funding or county investment. Staff said brownfields funding has previously been used for the West Third and West Sixth workforce and affordable housing efforts.
Ending: staff said the county will continue to evaluate remediation options and coordinate with federal and state partners if the commissioners wish to pursue redevelopment.
