Proposed Middle School Site Called ‘Pristine’ Property

The proposed site of a new middle school in Warrenville got a clean bill of health from two environmental firms after each studied air, soil and water samples from the 18-acre site. The results of the study were reported at a public meeting Tuesday, September 26 in the School Service Center. Both reports indicate their investigations present no environmental concern for the property.

The first report was conducted by Environment, Inc., an Addison firm hired by James McNaughton Builders, Inc. McNaughton Builders own the proposed site west of Herrick Road between Warrenville and Galusha Roads. Environment, Inc. summarized its report by writing:

“In our experience with investigating many other properties, it is rare to find a property where no man-made chemical constituents can be detected. A property with such pristine environmental conditions is unique for the greater Chicago metropolitan area.”

A second, independent study was authorized by the school district and conducted by Mostardi Platt Environmental, Oak Brook, to verify Environmental, Inc.’s findings. The reports had similar conclusions, with the latter indicating that no groundwater was encountered and a slightly elevated amount of naturally occurring arsenic was found in one soil sample. The report concluded:

“It does not appear that past or current activities on the property, or current activities observed on adjoining properties have created environmental issues or contributed to the presence of the metals identified in the soil at the property.”

Britt Wenzel, manager of Mostardi’s management services, said the arsenic is naturally occurring and is commonly found in soil around the Chicago metropolitan area. He said the amount detected at the Herrick Road site is well within the range identified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Representatives from both firms indicated they would be willing to build a home or any other structure on the property, noting that soil samples from randomly selected residential areas might provide some surprising results for homeowners.

“This is basically a pristine site,” Russ Henderson, geologist from Environment, Inc., said. “There should be no thought that this property might be a threat.”

Air sampling by both companies indicate that findings are well within acceptable ranges and typical of levels monitored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency around the Chicago area.

With the release of the environmental reports, the District has completed the due diligence it promised when the Board authorized staff to begin negotiations for the property last May. That included having McNaughton Builders do a Phase II study of the property, conducting an independent environmental study, and meeting with BP Naperville Campus officials to discuss their operations and safety protocols.

The Board continues to negotiate with the owner, but no agreement has been reached on purchase price and no commitments have been made.

Please click here to read the executive summaries of both reports. (pdf format)