Lindsay Light Projects
- Future DuSable Park
- Streeterville Cooperative Agreement
- 545 N. McClurg Court
- 455 North Park Drive
- Project at 465 N. Park Drive
- 515 N. Peshtigo Court (aka 500 N. Lake Shore Drive)
- Project at 224-228 E. Ontario St. (OU22)
- 510 N. Peshtigo Court (aka Operating Unit 10)
Future DuSable Park
The small parcel of land proposed to become DuSable Park is a 3.5-acre peninsula just east of Lake Shore Drive between the Chicago River and the Ogden Slip. The parcel is owned by the Chicago Park District. When it is developed, the park is expected to be dedicated to Chicago's first non-Native-American settler, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable. He was a French and African American entrepreneur from the island of Haiti who lived and operated a trading post at the mouth of the Chicago River from 1779 to about 1800.
In 2012, the Chicago Park District received about $250,000 through an EPA cooperative agreement to clean up contaminated areas on the DuSable Park site. Contractors for the park district, with EPA oversight, excavated, bagged and staged for removal more than 115 cubic yards of thorium-contaminated soil.
A small part of the elevated portion of the Navy Pier Flyover will pass over DuSable Park and be supported by several columns that will be placed in the park near Lake Shore Drive.
- Lindsay Light Cooperative Agreement With Chicago Park District for DuSable Park, July 2011
- Chicago Park District DuSable Park Web Page Exit
- Lindsay Light II Site: Aerial Photo 2 - February 2010
- DuSable Park Site - Aerial Photo 2008
Streeterville Cooperative Agreement
The city of Chicago is cleaning up high levels of thorium contamination in the “Streeterville Thorium Investigation Area” . The area is bounded on the south by Randolph Street, on the west by Michigan Avenue, on the east by Lake Michigan and on the south by Erie Street. Through a 2012 legal agreement, EPA is providing $2.5 million to help fund the cleanup of some city sidewalks, streets, and parkways. The project may last through August 2017.
- Lindsay Light Streeterville Thorium Monitoring Area Map 2014
- Lindsay Light Assistance Amendment, November 2012
- Lindsay Light Cooperative Agreement, September 2012
- Before You Dig: Radioactive Thorium and Construction Activities in the Streeterville Area - November 2006
- U.S. EPA - Mobile Scanner Van for Use the Lindsay Light II/RV3 North Columbus Drive Site - June 2000
Project at 545 N. McClurg Court
Preparation is underway for the construction of a multi-use, 44-story building. The current plan calls for 490 apartments, an outdoor rooftop pool, office space, and ground-level retail.
Prior testing determined that there is thorium-contaminated soil in some subsurface areas of the site. The project’s owner signed a legal agreement with the EPA to find and remove the thorium-contaminated soil. The EPA is overseeing that work. Contractors are using specialized radiation-detecting instruments to scan the soil during excavation. As thorium-contaminated material is discovered, it is immediately secured, covered and packaged for removal to a licensed radioactive waste disposal facility.
Lindsay Light Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent for Removal Action, June 2014
Project at 455 North Park Drive
Preparation is underway for the construction of a hotel and high-rise residential complex. Prior testing determined that there is thorium-contaminated soil in some subsurface areas of the site. The project’s owner signed a legal agreement with the EPA to find and remove the thorium-contaminated soil. The EPA oversaw the completion of that work last summer. Contractors used specialized radiation-detecting instruments to scan the soil during excavation. As thorium-contaminated material was discovered, it was immediately secured, covered and packaged for removal to a licensed radioactive waste disposal facility.
Project at 465 N. Park Drive
On April 25, 2008, an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent were issued for 319 E. Illinois St. aka 465 N. Park Drive. In 2010, the radiological investigation work was suspended. During 2012 and 2013, the site was covered with gravel and used as a staging area during the cleanup of the adjacent property 455 N Park Drive. In 2016, construction of a high-rise residential building started.
Project at 515 N. Peshtigo Court (aka 500 N. Lake Shore Drive)
A 45-floor residential tower is being built here. Cleanup of more than 160 yards of subsurface thorium-contaminated material was completed in 2013.
Project at 224-228 E. Ontario St. (OU22)
Preparation is underway for the construction of a 20-story hotel with a basement. The previous three-story masonry structures with basements were demolished in 2014.
Thorium testing is being done because the location of this new hotel is within the “Lindsay Light Streeterville Thorium Monitoring Area.” The project’s owner signed a legal agreement with the EPA to find and remove thorium-contaminated soil (if any is found). The EPA is overseeing that work. Contractors for the project’s owner will use specialized radiation-detecting instruments to scan the soil during excavation. If thorium-contaminated material is found, it will be immediately secured, covered and packaged for removal to a licensed radioactive waste disposal facility.
Project at 510 N. Peshtigo Court (OU10) (aka 451 E. Grand Ave., aka 400 E. Illinois)
Preparations are underway for the construction of a 67-story residential high-rise. Once completed, the high-rise will be the third tallest building in Streeterville and the 12th tallest in Chicago. Prior testing found thorium-contaminated soil next to this project. However, the developer had signed a legal agreement with EPA to find and remove the tainted soil if encountered. EPA is overseeing this work. Contractors are using specialized radiation-detecting instruments to scan the soil during excavation. As thorium-contaminated material is discovered, it is immediately secured, covered and packaged for removal to a licensed radioactive waste disposal facility.