268-24 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACTIONS RELATED TO BINGHAM PARK REMEDIATION PROJECT
(Resolution A / Option A waste containment and cover at Bingham Park and full remediation at Hampton School)
WHEREAS, Bingham Park is a 12-acre neighborhood park located at 500 Bingham Street, Greensboro that served the Cottage Grove, Willow Oaks, East Side Park, and other nearby communities from the 1970s through its full closure;
WHEREAS, from the 1920s until the 1950s a waste incinerator and pre-regulatory landfill operated on the property that later became Bingham Park;
WHEREAS, due to the operation of the incinerator and landfill, soil contamination occurred at Bingham Park and a portion of the former William M. Hampton Elementary School property located at 2301 Trade Street (hereafter, “Properties”);
WHEREAS, testing led by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (“NC DEQ”) and its contracted consultants have revealed that potential human exposure risks are present due to high concentrations of heavy metals including arsenic, iron, manganese, and lead and semi-volatile organic compounds in the soil on the properties, findings which are consistent with the operation of an incinerator;
WHEREAS, due to the history and contamination that is present, these properties will remain closed and unusable until soil remediation occurs, and the contamination may limit potential sale or redevelopment of portions of the former Hampton School property;
WHEREAS, in 2020 residents formed the Bingham Park Environmental Justice Team to educate the public and the surrounding neighborhoods about Bingham Park, build awareness, and receive ideas, and the team supports the reconstruction of a new park and full remediation, including soil removal;
WHEREAS, in consultation with the NC DEQ the City has considered several options for addressing the contamination present at Bingham Park including limited waste relocation with a cover system, stream bank stabilization, tree restoration, and full remediation;
WHEREAS, the City of Greensboro has been working with local, state, and federal officials to support and fund the remediation of Bingham Park and has led preliminary park planning efforts including community engagement to look at future uses of the Properties;
WHEREAS, the NC DEQ has pledged $7 million towards the remediation of the property through its pre-regulatory landfill program, $1.05 million in federal Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development funds has been allocated, and State House Bill 259 includes up to an $11 million allocation to be split between remediation projects at Bingham Park and downtown Greensboro sites at the City’s discretion with Council authorization;
WHEREAS, the former Hampton School property contains approximately 3 acres of waste, which needs to be remediated to allow for future unrestricted community use;
WHEREAS, the installation of a waste containment and cover system at Bingham Park is the most cost effective, quickest, and presents fewer logistical impacts during completion in contrast to full remediation;
WHEREAS, after the waste containment and cover system is installed, the Bingham Park property’s topography and waste consolidation and cover system will limit park amenities to include a walking trail;
WHEREAS, should this resolution be adopted the Parks and Recreation Department requests that a portion of the former Hampton School site include a new neighborhood park with amenities that may include but are not limited to a picnic shelter, playground, and adult fitness equipment; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO that:
- The City supports remediation via a waste containment and cover system, at Bingham Park;
- The City supports full remediation of contaminated areas of the former Hampton School site;
- The City authorizes the allocation of $10,000,000 of the funds received for remediation from State House Bill 259 to support remediation of the Properties;
- The City is committed to finding ways to fund the balance of the remediation of the Properties as necessary;
- The City supports the use of a properly permitted and lined municipal solid waste landfill other than White Street Landfill to receive waste from the Properties;
- The City expresses its full support for the construction of a new neighborhood park on a portion of the former Hampton School site; and
- The City hereby authorizes the initiation of the development of the remedial action plan for the Properties consistent with the parameters of this resolution and supports review of the plan along with the preparation of the associated bid documents necessary.
(Signed) Sharon Hightower