Unveiling Inquiries Conducted by Lindsay Light

Unveiling Inquiries Conducted by Lindsay Light

Updating Streeterville's Thorium Chronicles

Here's the skinny on what's cookin' in Streeterville, Chicago:

• 150 E. Ontario (OU26)Thorium shindig wrapped up. No shady business detected during the joint EPA-contractor sweep while constructing a swanky 28-story hotel. Check out the legal paperwork, complete with a work plan and a redacted Action Memo, here: Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order On Consent for Removal Action (Signed)
• 218 E. Grand (fka 535 N. St. Clair) (OU27)We're on the hunt for thorium contamination in this multistory parking garage demolish-and-build project. The team's on it, and they'll be using their fancy radiation-sniffin' gadgets to scan the soil. Keep an eye on this space for updates: Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action (Signed)
• Future DuSable ParkThis 3.5-acre baby's gonna rise up between Lake Shore Drive and the Ogden Slip, commemorating Chicago's first non-Native American settler, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable. Speakin' of du Sable, in 2012, the Chicago Park District got a cool $250k from a previous cooperative agreement to scrub contaminated areas. Then, in June 2017, the EPA dropped $6.8 million to continue the cleanup, with contractors yankin' over 115 cubic yards of thorium-tainted soil.
• Streeterville Cooperative AgreementThe city's cleanin' up elevated thorium levels in the "Streeterville Thorium Investigation Area." Bounded by Randolph St., Michigan Ave., Lake Michigan, and Erie Street, this area's expectin' a $45 million cleanup boost courtesy of the EPA. The project's expected to wrap up by August 2025, but that could change if they score more grant extensions.
• 545 N. McClurg CourtThorium investigation complete. That soil test revealed thorium-contaminated bits in some areas. The project's owner inked a deal with the EPA to root out the problem, and the team found and hauled away the offending material. Side note: Check out the legal agreement for the dirt on how all this went down: Lindsay Light Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action, June 2014
• 455 North Park DriveThorium investigation finito. Previous soil tests pointed to tainted dirt, so the project's owner signed on the dotted line with the EPA to dig it up. They found it, packaged it, and sent it to a radioactive waste facility. Intrigued? Delve into the details with the full legal agreement: Lindsay Light Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action, April 2012
• 465 N. Park DriveThorium investigation concluded. Hit the link to learn about the cleanup back in '08 and how a residential tower went up in its place: Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent, April 25, 2008
• 515 N. Peshtigo Court (aka 500 N. Lake Shore Drive)Thorium investigation complete. They scraped over 160 yards of contaminated dirt and erected a 45-floor residential tower after tearin' down some old buildings. Fun facts right here: Lindsay Light 515 Peshtigo Administrative Settlement Agreement and Consent Order for Removal Action, September 2011
• 224-228 E. Ontario St. (OU22)Thorium investigation wrapped up. They tested the soil during construction of the new hotel within the Streeterville Thorium Monitoring Area, but nada was found.
• 218 E. Grand (fka 535 N. St. Clair) (OU27)Thorium contamination not found. Looks like we're clearing the way for the multi-story high-rise buildin' commencin' now. The owner's workin' with the EPA, so they'll be usin' top-notch radiation-detectin' tools to scan the soil as they dig. The contract's up, doin' its thing: Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action (Signed) - V-W-22-C-011 - Ou27 218 E Grand(pdf)
• 510 N. Peshtigo Court (OU10) (aka 451 E. Grand Ave., aka 400 E. Illinois)Thorium investigation complete. No thorium-tainted earth found when building the 67-story condo. But they found somethin' and hauled it off to a radioactive waste center. Here's the legal agreement: Lindsay Light Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action, January 2016
• Navy Pier CTA Electric Bus Charging StationThorium investigation complete. They built a swanky electric bus charging station at Navy Pier, and the EPA's keepin' an eye on things to make sure everything's on the up-and-up. They yanked approximately 18 cubic yards of thorium-tainted soil during the construction process.
• 400 Lake Shore Drive (OU00)Thorium investigation kickstarted. They're diggin' and testin' the soil near North Water Street and Lake Shore Drive between the Ogden Slip and the Chicago River. Stay tuned for more updates!
• The thorium-contaminated soil removed from Future DuSable Park was sent to a radioactive waste facility, indicating the importance of environmental science in ensuring a safe and clean environment.
• In the Streeterville Cooperative Agreement, the city allocated funds for the cleanup of elevated thorium levels, highlighting the role of finance and investing in supporting environmental projects.
• Real estate projects in Streeterville, such as at 545 N. McClurg Court and 455 North Park Drive, have been affected by thorium contamination, demonstrating the need for industry to be aware of and address such issues.
• The cleanup of thorium-tainted soil at 465 N. Park Drive in 2008 paved the way for the construction of a residential tower, providing an example of how cleaning up environmental issues can lead to new development.
• The 218 E. Grand (fka 535 N. St. Clair) (OU27) site did not find evidence of thorium contamination, suggesting that the use of advanced radiation-detecting tools can help in identifying potential hazards and preventing further waste creation in real estate development.

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