Community Engagement At Leaking I nclergromul Storage Tank Sites* *Community engagement activities at LUST sites vary, depending on site conditions and remedies. Former Holland Oil Site East 14th Street At 163rd Avenue Alameda County San Leandro, California History And Site Activities This two-acre abandoned site previously served as a former bulk fuel storage facility and later as a used car lot in San Leandro, Alameda County, California, The facility was left vacant for more than a decade and had petroleum contamination, which posed a risk to groundwater and human health. The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) Cleanup work at former Holland oil site was interested in this site for a long time; in 2008 HARD was able to buy the plot out of probate in partnership with the Alameda County Community Redevelopment Agency. In 2009, a local Bay-area contractor working for California State Water Resources Control Board, excavated petroleum-contaminated soil and helped ready the site for reuse. Hayward Area Recreation and Park District is developing this reclaimed site; construction work on a two-acre park began in early 2010 with a target opening in September. Construction of a youth center is scheduled to begin in late 2010, with a target opening in 2012. This redeveloped parcel of land will provide the community with a skate park, tot lot, health center, new gymnasium, teen center, and open space for walking and outdoor picnics. Community Engagement Activities The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District oversaw the cleanup work and sent letters to surrounding community residents, notifying them about the remedial work. Community members were particularly interested in the reuse possibilities of the site. HARD and the Alameda County Community Redevelopment Agency held numerous meetings with area youth, students, and parents, where community members shared their input and ideas about the reuse and master plan for the site. Two nonprofit area groups - the Sheriff's activity league and an empowerment school group - as well as student groups at a nearby school used e- mails and school notices to help get the word out about community meetings. For More Information Alameda County Community Redevelopment Agency California UST Program EPA Region 9 UST Program Community Engagement Lessons Learned • Ask for the community's help - community members have valuable information, ideas, and energy to bring to cleanup solutions as well as the reuse of sites • All partners served as a catalyst - the positive working relationship and dedication to this project among HARD, elected officials, San Lorenzo Unified School District, and Alameda County were critical to the success of this project Reuse plans for former Holland oil site AEPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks, Washington, D.C. 20460 www.epa.gov/oust June 2010 ------- |