SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – Brownfields cleanup projects are gearing up this spring after winter shutdowns. The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) has provided updates on several brownfield cleanup projects in Springfield.
Parks & Woolson
Parks & Woolson has completed the removal and disposal of contaminated drummed materials, and has begun additional assessment to determine the extent of PCB contamination in the building materials, which will help inform potential cleanup alternatives for the site.
Park Street School
Park Street School made substantial progress on interior asbestos remediation during the winter months. Last season’s exterior work included clearing and management of contaminated soils for removal. Exterior work has started up, and will be addressing slope stability. Procurement is underway for code improvements, to include a new electrical system and sprinklers. Keep up to date with progress on Phase 1 of this project at www.springfielddevelopment.org/parkstreet-phase-1. Following acquisition by the Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) in 2023, MARC has been working with the property owner in performing various assessments of the historic structure. These environmental assessments of the building are complex and very expensive.
To date, MARC has provided grant funding of $110,000 through an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, and is now partnering with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) to share the expense of additional assessment of building materials and a structural analysis of the building.
Edgar May
The Edgar May Health and Recreation Center will soon be undergoing a transformation involving brownfield cleanup. The planned expansion project will involve demolition of the annex, with reconstruction of a 13,400-square-foot community facility, and redevelopment of the existing 19,915-square-foot historic foundry building. Plans include an indoor sports field and courts, with an indoor walking track, child care facility, health and wellness space, and increased capacity for youth and adult programming.