Brownfields Success Stories

Revitalization of brownfields properties can have both environmental and economic benefits for the sites and the communities in which they are located.

Although the economic activity of a certain site may change over time, the environmental improvements provide beneficial and economic use opportunity well into the future.

Adare Manor

American Linen Property

Jack's Urban Meeting Place

Pre Funk Beer Bar

Barber Wastewater Lagoons

Mike's Cleaners, Weiser

Background

The area around Mike's Cleaners is a mixture of residential and commercial properties. Commercial businesses located directly downgradient from the cleaners include Bo's Barn, a service station and convenience store; Weiser Collision Repair, an auto body shop; Weiser Christian Church Annex; and MacLean's Garage, an automobile service facility. The remainder of the area consists of single-family residences.

Washington County, with the assistance of DEQ, received a Brownfields Site Assessment grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a site investigation for the former Mike's Cleaners property, located at 1300 North State Street in Weiser, Idaho. The Mike's Cleaners building was constructed in the late 1970s and used as a drive-in restaurant. The property was sold in 1987 and converted for use as a laundry and dry cleaning facility. The property was sold again to Mike Lewis in 1997 and continued to operate as a dry cleaning facility.

Site Investigation

In 2005, Brown and Caldwell conducted an investigation of the soil and ground water contamination originating from Mike's Cleaners. Soil and ground water samples were collected along and within the 250 x 1,100-foot contamination plume. Soil vapor samples were also collected near the suspected area of release at Mike's Cleaners. Results of the assessment indicated that the contamination concentrations had been reduced by over 90% since 1998. Brown and Caldwell raised concerns about potential human health risks from hazardous vapors released by the plume. Consequently, DEQ contracted with Washington Group International (WGI) to resample the soil vapor points.

After receiving the results of the soil vapor sampling, Brown and Caldwell conducted a risk assessment of all available data. In short, the risk assessment concluded that the contamination was degraded to the point where it did not pose unacceptable risk to human health. Conditions inside the building were such that DEQ was unable to study the indoor air quality at Mike's Cleaners. At the time, parties interested in purchasing the property planned to demolish the structure. As a result, an indoor air study was never conducted. DEQ recommended an indoor air study prior to occupying the Mike's Cleaners building as a precaution. Such a study may occur depending on the planned reuse of the property.

Redevelopment

On February 12, 2007, Washington County auctioned off the property. The successful bidder acquired the property and structure for $32,000. The new owner retained the structure, modified the interior, and opened a sign shop and tattoo parlor at the former Mike's Cleaners property. This new arrangement returned the property to the county tax rolls, created jobs, and provided services to the citizens of Weiser.

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