A cleanup in 1993 of a contaminated soil site on the West Hill in Kent continues 21 years later to protect public health and the environment, according to a recent review of the property by the state Department of Ecology (DOE).
The Midway Crossing site is two parcels at 23223 Pacific Highway S. State officials visited the site in November. Ecology continues to review sites every five years that have undergone cleanup if the cleanup included a special condition that must be maintained on the property, according to a state DOE media release on Dec. 23.
A Union 76 gas station occupied the property from 1931-1953. The original building was demolished in 1953 and a second building was built on the property that was occupied by a Mobil oil lube shop and then a tire shop in 1966 followed by a boat and auto repair shop until 1990 when the structure was demolished.
The building included four dispenser pumps, two underground storage tanks (550, and 1,000 gallon capacity), and two hydraulic lifts. The building was replaced in 1993. The property is currently occupied by multiple small retail businesses.
During the cleanup in 1993, crews excavated 165 tons of contaminated soil and disposed of it to an unknown offsite location. The excavation reportedly reached a depth of 7 feet.
A request for opinion at this site determined that no further action was appropriate under the condition that a restrictive environmental covenant be placed on the property to limit access to contaminated soil.
Ecology seeks public comment on the site review through Jan. 23.
For additional background on the cleanup and review of the Midway Crossing site, see:
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/gsp/Sitepage.aspx?csid=4617.
Comments or questions about this site may be directed to Eugene Freeman, Department of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave SE., Bellevue, WA 98008 or eugene.freeman@ecy.wa.gov. For questions by phone, call 425-649-7191.
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