MOUNT VERNON — The proposed cleanup of the old American National Can property on Marion Street will be delayed.
With the deadline approaching fast, and without a strong commitment from the owner, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said the city will not file an application for Clean Ohio Funds during this application period. He hopes to be able to tie up a few loose ends and be ready for the December deadline.
Mavis said the owner of the property has agreed to pay the application fee, but is still considering whether to commit to the matching funds needed if the application is successful. Because the estimate for the project is $2 million, that would mean the owner has to come up with approximately $500,000. Mavis said the city is not going to put up any of the funds, making it necessary for the owner to pay if they are to get the area cleaned up.
“Their environmental people are concerned about the estimated cost and want more time to take a look at things,” Mavis said. “At this point, we’ve notified [the engineering firm] and indicated we will not move on this until later in the year.”
The 44-acre property was recently assessed for toxins left in the soil from when the paperboard company operated there. Some toxins, including toluene, were found in the soil, but were not going to affect the city’s aquifer, which runs under the site.
