Proposed Sculpture Park for Seattle Brownfields site

["cpeo@cpeo.org" <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 8, 1999
http://www.wa.gov/ecology/pie/1999news/99-204.html


Contact: Ron Langley, Department of Ecology,
(425) 649-7009
Chris Rogers, Seattle Art Museum, (206)
654-3221

Ecology, Seattle Art Museum propose agreement to allow sculpture park on
cleanup site

BELLEVUE - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is launching the
next step in a process that could turn a former industrial site on the
Seattle waterfront into a world-class sculpture park. 

Beginning today through Nov. 6, Ecology is seeking public comment on a
draft legal agreement that would settle the Seattle Art Museum’s liability,
with some exceptions, for the final stages of cleanup at the former Unocal
Bulk Marketing Terminal site, located at Elliott Ave. and Broad St. The
museum plans to buy the site this fall. 

"This is an outstanding opportunity to turn a barren piece of land into an
oasis that everyone can enjoy," said Ray Hellwig, Ecology’s regional manager. 

"This park will become an important community resource and a wonderful
place to showcase outdoor sculpture," said Mimi Gardner Gates, the Seattle
Art Museum's Illsley Ball Nordstrom Director. "The museum is grateful for
the Department of Ecology's role in fulfilling our vision"

The public may review drafts of the legal agreement, called a "prospective
purchaser consent decree," and the proposed cleanup action plan at the
Seattle Public Library’s downtown branch, the Seattle Art Museum’s library,
and Ecology’s Northwest Regional Office in Bellevue.

The documents relate to a site adjacent to Myrtle Edwards Park where Unocal
operated a petroleum storage and distribution facility from 1910 to 1975.
Thirteen years after discontinuing  operations, Unocal entered into a
formal legal agreement with Ecology for site cleanup. The agreement
identified four main areas to be studied and cleaned: the Upper Yard,
between Western and Elliott avenues; Elliott Ave.; the Lower Yard, between
Elliott Ave. and the railroad right-of-way adjacent to Alaskan Way; and an
area just north of Pier 70. 

Unocal has been cleaning the site for the past 10 years. A cleanup action
plan accompanying the draft prospective purchaser consent decree outlines
additional cleanup needed to protect human health and the environment.

Following the month-long public-comment period, Ecology will review all
comments and make recommendations for any suggested changes to the
documents. Ecology will then prepare a summary of the comments and
suggested changes. 

If significant changes are made to the decree or the cleanup plan, Ecology
will announce a second comment period. If no significant changes are made,
the decree will be recorded in King County Superior Court and final cleanup
can begin.

http://www.wa.gov/ecology/pie/1999news/99-204.html