[September 27, 2016]      

Work has been ongoing at the new location for the Lincoln Street Department facility for a while, but this week, things appear to be really taking shape. Looking at the new building from a variety of angles, it is easy to see that the building is going to be very large offering plenty of space for the department's equipment and crews.

The building is being built with little investment by the city. This is the culmination of an ongoing situation due to Benzene found at the current site, and an Environmental Protection Agency order is forcing Common-Wealth Edison and Nicor Gas to foot the bill for its clean-up.

The clean-up process involves demolition of the existing structures at the 3rd Street property and removal of contaminated soil. The EPA order allowed for the relocation of the street department at the expense of Common Wealth Edison and Nicor.

The Benzene contamination came from many years ago when Lincoln had its own light plant. Benzine was a by-product of the creation of energy for the city. Over the years, the city-owned plant changed ownership. The EPA determined that by default, Common Wealth Edison and Nicor were the ones who were responsible due to the succession of ownership prior to the building site going back to the city for its street department.

Pictures by Karen Hargis