MOUNT VERNON — There were no major surprises when city officials received word on the assessment of the former American National Can property.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said he met with Burgess & Niple, the firm that collected the data and assessed it for contaminants, and they gave him a verbal report of their findings. A formal, written report will be finished within a few weeks and give the city more of an idea what will be needed to clean up the property.
“The bottom line, at least in our minds, is there were no major surprises. Once we get the written report, we will then decide if we want to apply for Clean Ohio Funds to clean up the property,” Mavis said.
Burgess & Niple collected the data using 16 wells approximately 20 foot deep, three wells approximately 80 foot deep and 26 test pits that were about 10 foot deep. The company also used sonar testing to determine what contaminants are still in the ground from the former packaging plant off Marion Street.
Mavis also met with two representatives of the state scenic river group about problems with the dike beginning to wash out near Memorial Park, as well as some work that will be done around the Kokosing River near Foundation Park. There are several sand bars that are causing some possible erosion concerns in the river near the park and city officials are looking at ways to stabilize the area.
