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Residents press Redevelopment Commission over Athletic Park funding, contamination and project scope
Summary
A lengthy public-comment period at the March 10 Anderson Redevelopment Commission meeting raised concerns about river contamination near Athletic Park, requests for plume maps and EPA reports, and criticism of the commission's $38 million pledge to the park amid water-quality worries and rising project cost estimates.
Residents and commissioners spent more than an hour debating the Athletic Park project’s scope, rising cost estimates and potential environmental risks near a long‑studied brownfield site.
Commissioners reminded attendees that the ARC had pledged $38 million to the Athletic Park effort and that other grants and private partners are involved; several commissioners and residents said they were concerned the project had not been presented sufficiently in advance and asked for environmental scientists and detailed plans. "If you wait until August, September, October to fix the problem, then we're gonna have a problem this summer on the river," a resident said while describing black water and algae in local ditches and calling for immediate testing.
Speakers emphasized differing priorities: some commissioners said ARC’s role is to provide redevelopment funding under state rules and that detailed park design and operation are managed by other city entities; other commissioners and residents urged more oversight, a marketing/use study to make the facility year‑round, and clear environmental testing and mapping before construction proceeds. Public commenters said they had submitted large EPA documents and video to staff and asked the commission to demand clearer evidence that nearby contamination would not threaten park users.
Commissioners agreed to request an environmental‑science briefing at the next meeting, to seek the EPA documents and maps residents referenced, and to continue follow‑up even where the ARC’s contractual authority is limited.
