Wheeling OKs removal of tainted soil to make way for development

As part of an initiative to prepare land along the Des Plaines River for development, the Wheeling village board on Monday approved spending up to $50,000 to get rid of contaminated soil on the village's south side.

The land, located between Milwaukee Avenue and the Des Plaines River at Prestwick Lane, has already been fitted with a compensatory water storage basin, underground utilities and sidewalks and curbs.

Soil in the area was found to be contaminated by an underground storage unit containing waste oil. Some of the soil also was contaminated by a used car shop and gas station previously located on the property.

Wheeling Director of Public Works Mark Janeck says this is the second contaminated soil "hot spot" that's been detected in the project.

"When is this spiral going to end," said Trustee Ken Brady. "We found a tank, fine, that can be understood. But now you find contaminated soil?"

Janeck says because of the land's numerous past uses, it's possible more contaminated spots could be discovered.

"These are just the things you'll find," he said.

He expects the removal will take about one day.

"We're doing this to get it prepared for future development," Janeck said. "We're thinking it's going to be commercial."

The goal of the South Milwaukee Avenue Parcel Improvement Project is to improve the physical appearance of the land and eventually contribute to the economic development of the area.

The northern section of the improvement project contains a stormwater management system, and Janeck says only about 25 percent of land in the area is left to excavate.

The land along the Des Plaines River is in the floodplain, but Janeck says with the stormwater management system and two clay building pads on the southern end of the project, flooding shouldn't be an issue.

"We're basing the plans on the most stringent regulations," he said.

Wheeling will pay R.W. Collins Co. up to $50,000 to remove 356 cubic yards of soil.