Return to Use Initiative
2009 Demonstration Project
Mountain View Mobile Home
Estates: Globe, Arizona
THE SITE: Until the 1970s, the 17-acre Mountain View Mobile Home
Estates Superfund site housed a mill that processed chrysotile asbestos
ore from mines surrounding Globe, Arizona. After failing to meet EPA
standards for emissions, Gila County ordered the mill closed in 1973.
Before closing, the property was rezoned as a residential subdivision and
the mill owner installed mobile homes for 130 residents on top of re-
graded asbestos mill tailings partially covered with topsoil. Asbestos
detected in the soil brought the site to the attention of EPA, prompting
its addition to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. Following
relocation of the residents in 1985, EPA's site cleanup included:
crushing and burying homes and other structures in two natural
depressions on site; installing drainage culverts and enclosed pipes;
placing a filter fabric over the entire site; layering clean soil over the
filter fabric; and adding compacted and crushed rock to complete the
cover. The entire site was fenced and it was deleted from the NPL in
1988. Since the site's closure, the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has been overseeing the maintenance of
the capped site.
THE OPPORTUNITY: The Mountain View site is a relatively level
parcel located amidst more mountainous terrain. Federal and State-
owned land surround the City of Globe and limit the City's expansion
options. The site offers reasonably level, available property at the
junction of Highway 70 and Route 77, providing an ideal location for
development. Both the City and State have expressed an interest in
putting the vacant property to use.
THE BARRIERS: The site has been an unused parcel on the outskirts
of the City of Globe for more than 20 years after the Superfund cleanup
(capping of the buried asbestos-contaminated soils) in the 1980s. Deed
restrictions exist on the parcel to prevent any disturbance of the buried
asbestos that could cause potential health problems if it were exposed.
The regulatory agencies (EPA and ADEQ) have been concerned that
reuse could re-open the site risks. In addition, the City was unsure of
Buildings on Moutain View Mobile Home
Estates Superfund site.
Barriers: Future development
must consider buried asbestos and
other infrastructure limitations
Solution: EPA-funded reuse
assessment
View of the Mountain View Mobile Home
Estates Superfund site from Interstate 70
entrance.
Before: Vacant property in prime
location with unknown
development potential
After: Vacant property whose
redevelopment barriers and
opportunities are better defined and
understood by the City, State, and
community members
nited States
Environmental Protection
Agency
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appropriate uses of the land. Also, because the parcel is located to the east of the City, it is outside the existing
water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure. Development would need to account for these limitations.
THE SOLUTION: EPA completed a reuse assessment of the Site, which identified the physical benefits and
limitations of the parcel, including the infrastructure constraints. The assessment clarified potential
redevelopment options for the stakeholders, taking into consideration the site grade, access, and other logistical
issues. The assessment identified a limited set of options that could be considered for development on top of
the cap or with limited re-grading that would account for public health concerns.
THE SITE NOW: The reuse assessment provided the City of Globe with valuable information to use when
considering redevelopment of the site. Due to economic limitations and information provided by the
assessment, the City has not proceeded to purchase and redevelop the site at this time. However, the detailed
information provided by the reuse assessment helped the City make a well educated and informed decision.
ADEQ has gained a better understanding of the potential future use of the site and will continue to use the reuse
assessment as a tool when approached by other potentially interested parties.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Andria Benner (415) 972-3189 or
benner.andria@epa.gov: or Gary Riley, Region 9 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at (415) 972-3003 or
riley.gary@epa.gov.
United St
Environmental Protection
I Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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