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Soledad approves amended sale with school district to advance staff housing after benzene finding
Summary
Council approved Resolution 6,132 to amend the purchase-and-sale agreement for 183 Soledad Street, lowering the purchase price to reflect an identified benzene contamination remediation cost ($124,800), with the district contributing $28,800 and providing release/indemnity language to allow the affordable staff-housing project to proceed.
The Soledad City Council on July 17 approved an amendment to a previously negotiated purchase-and-sale agreement with the Soledad Unified School District for a parcel at 183 Soledad Street intended for workforce/staff housing.
City attorneys described an October 2023 PSA and explained that a Phase II environmental review by the school district uncovered hazardous substances (identified in the staff report as benzene) requiring remediation. The district initially requested the city bear full remediation costs; after negotiations the parties reached a compromise reflected in the First Amendment: the original purchase price of $440,000 will be reduced to reflect remediation costs (a remediation estimate of $124,800 was cited in the report), and the district will contribute $28,800 toward the city parcel’s purchase price. In return the district will deliver a complete release from liability and indemnify the city for further hazardous-substance claims tied to the property.
Soledad Unified Superintendent Randy Banks and resident Dr. Connie Santa Cruz both spoke in favor of the project, saying the housing would help recruit and retain teachers and staff and provide affordable options for employees who currently must live outside Soledad. Banks said the district is eager to move the project forward and noted the community benefit of housing educators locally.
Council members noted the remediation was unforeseen, affirmed the city’s intent to reuse sale proceeds for affordable housing, and asked staff to complete required due diligence and escrow steps. The council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 6,132.
