DeKalb County commissioners on Nov. 24 approved a draft bid package for removal of the Sunny Meadows building and authorized staff to sign a site access agreement so the county can pursue Phase I/II Brownfields environmental assessments under a $500,000 EPA grant.

Bidders will be required to inspect for asbestos and perform abatement before demolition; the solicitation requires demolition, hauling, septic removal and backfill, and placement of six inches of clean topsoil on the former building footprint to create a plantable green space. Procurement language added a clause stating the county is unaware of underground tanks or hazardous materials but that the county will assume responsibility for costs and time delays caused by any previously unknown tanks or hazardous materials that are discovered during work.

Economic development staff and BCA Environmental Consultants described how the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant can fund Phase I/II assessments and even removal of certain items (for example, underground storage tanks) to make properties more attractive for redevelopment. The county’s consultant said the grant covers assessment costs with no local or owner match and that the county has identified roughly 200 candidate properties across municipalities.

"All it takes to get things started is a one‑page owner permission form," the consultant said, urging the county to sign access agreements so specific sites can be submitted to EPA for eligibility review. Commissioners approved signing a site access agreement for Sunny Meadows and approved advertising the removal project with the amended procurement language and topsoil requirement.

Next steps: Staff will advertise the demolition RFP with the agreed contract language and submit the signed site access agreement to EPA for an eligibility determination. If EPA declares the site eligible, the county can use grant funds for assessments and possible remediation.