Environmental Consultant Says ‘Large Areas’ Near Airport Are OK To Redevelop
Date Posted: December 6, 2019
Posted In: Discussion, News,
From St. Louis Public Radio: As companies vie for a potential lease on St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a big focus is on the land around it — and how it could be developed.
But a private operator would also take on the risk of the current state of the land.
Consultants presented parts of an environmental report Thursday on the condition of that land to the Airport Advisory Working Group considering airport privatization.
Ron Sides, an environmental consultant with Charbonnet & Associates, gave an overview of historical and currently contained problem areas that are designated as a recognized environmental condition.
The term refers to areas with a presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products.
Sides said there are areas “here and there” that present problems, including on an industrial area on the north side of the airport’s property where Boeing previously held operations. There are other areas that were previously used by the Air National Guard. Sides said those parties are responsible for remediating the areas they used.
The airport is responsible for others.
“Large areas of the airport are in fact available for redevelopment,” Sides said during his presentation.
One big opportunity the city working group sees out of a private deal is the potential for commercial development on 1,200 acres.
The bulk of the environmental report, however, has only been discussed in closed-door meetings.