US. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 5
ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, OHIO, WISCONSIN AND 35 TRIBES




TARGETED BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT
TOM'S AUTO 249 SYCAMORE STREET
Xenia, Ohio	September 2017
The United States Environmental Protection Agency assisted the city of Xenia by completing a targeted brownfields
assessment, or TBA, for the Toms Auto property in Xenia, Ohio. The city plans on using the land for a recreational park
and parking lot.
The property is known as Toms Auto and is located at
249 Sycamore Street in Xenia, Greene County, Ohio. It
consists of five parcels of land totaling 0.9189 acres and
is currently vacant.
The property was originally developed as a gasification
plant for Xenia Gas & Light Co. and was a documented
manufactured gas plant from 1901 to 1964. An auto
repair service called Toms Auto then operated on the
property from 1977 until 2004. The site has remained
unused since 2004.
The property includes three dilapidated buildings and a
paved drive running through the center of the site.
Previous property environmental investigations
include a March 2015 Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment, or ESA, and a lune 2016 Phase II Property
Assessment, or PA. Both projects were completed for Ohio EPA by its environmental contractor. Findings of the Phase
I ESA identified 14 areas where environmental conditions associated with the property might exist. The Phase II PA
findings indicated that soil, groundwater and soil gas at the site had been impacted by contamination related to former
on-site activities.
Tom's Auto site.
What is a Targeted Brownfields Assessment?
U.S. EPA's Targeted Brownfields Assessment,
or TBA, program provides technical assistance
to states, communities and non-profit
organizations, to minimize the uncertainties of
contamination on brownfield sites. U.S. EPA, at
no charge to the community will characterize a
brownfield to determine the nature and extent of
contamination. The assessment will be conducted
by environmental consultants currently under
contract with U.S. EPA. Results are provided to
the community to assist them in redevelopment
planning. The site must be known to be
contaminated or suspected to be contaminated
with hazardous substances or petroleum product.
DETAILS OF U.S. EPA'S SITE ACTIVITIES
The purpose of the TBA was to complete supplemental
Phase II PA activities and further investigate and evaluate
property conditions. Soil, groundwater, and sediment
contamination, as well as the potential vapor intrusion to
off-property residences, were evaluated.
After completing Supplemental Phase II PA activities,
contractors completed a Remedial Action Plan, or RAP, to
document the proposed corrective action to ensure that
Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program, or VAP, standards
are met on the property through implementation of
remedial activities. The RAP also documented that the
proposed activities would be conducted in accordance
with Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA requirements regarding
protection of human health and the environment.

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REPORT/INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Findings indicated that soil, groundwater, and soil gas
contamination at the property was a result of former on-
site activities, predominately located in the southern half
of the property where historic manufactured gas plant
operations occurred.
The property contains semi-volatile organic compound,
or SVOCs and metal-impacted soil exceeding Ohio VAP
standards for direct contact with contamination, as well
as total petroleum hydrocarbon, or TPH-impacted soils
exceeding the Ohio Bureau of Underground Storage
Tank Regulations soil saturation limits. Groundwater at
the property contains volatile organic compounds, or
VOCs, SVOCs, and metals at levels exceeding the VAP
standards for drinking water called the unrestricted
potable use standard. U.S. EPA found no vapor intrusion
risk for the adjacent properties. Vapor intrusion occurs
when volatile organic compound, or VOC-contaminated
vapors in the soil or groundwater move into the basements
or foundations of buildings. Sediment samples collected
from Shawnee Creek were in the acceptable range for
use of the property for construction excavation and
residential development.
REUSE/REVITALIZATION DETAILS
The anticipated future land use of the property is a
recreational park and parking lot in the "Hub District"
of Xenia. The Hub District got its name due to its
proximity to the hub of four regional bike paths and
includes the property as well as areas immediately
surrounding the property. Successful redevelopment of
the property and Hub District could support a broader
future redevelopment plan that could include open space,
protection of river corridors, recreational amenities such
as an outdoor amphitheater, scenic overlooks on adjacent
properties, additional parking, and walking paths.
CONTACT US
Brad Stimple
TBA Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5 Brownfields
stimple.brad@epa.gov
440-250-1717
For more information on TBAs or to request a TBA:
https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/brownfields-
and-land-revitalization-illinois-indiana-michigan-
minnesota-ohio-and
Information on U.S. EPA's brownfields program and
brownfields grant information can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: What is a Brownfield?
A: Brownfields are real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated
by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous
substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a TBA?
A: Eligible entities include state, local and tribal
governments; general purpose units of local
government, land clearance authorities or other
quasi-governmental entities; regional council or
redevelopment agencies; states or legislatures; or
nonprofit organizations.
TBA assistance may only be used at properties that
meet the statutory definition of a brownfield. The
TBA program does not provide resources to conduct
cleanup or building demolition activities. Cleanup
assistance is available under U.S. EPA's cleanup or
Revolving Loan Fund, or RLF, grants. Information on
U.S. EPA's brownfields cleanup and RLF grants can be
found on the U.S. EPA brownfields website at www.
epa.gov/Brownfields.
Q: What kind of technical assistance is provided in
a TBA?
A: Generally, a Phase I and Phase II environmental
site assessment. U.S. EPA can also provide analysis
for risk assessment to potential contaminants and
recommendations for site cleanup.

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