Terre Haute lot getting cleaned up

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A forty-acre lot stands empty in Terre Haute. A seven-million dollar project will clear twenty acres of that land at the corner of 13th and Hulman Streets.

“No, we have enough money right now to do about half of the site. We’re going to clean up the frontage area along Hulman and 13 ^th streets,” said Chuck Ennis, city engineer.    

Officials are removing at least ten feet of contaminated soil from the property.

It's home to a former coke and carbon company. The plant turned coal into coke. Coke is fired coal.

The soil removal will extend 325 feet into the property from the streets.

Some of the contaminants in the ground include arsenic and lead. But officials said it’s not dangerous. You’re only at risk if you eat the grass, weeds, or dirt.

The Environmental Protection Agency awarded Terre Haute a grant to help with the project. They will get a 0.5 percent interest discount on its grant by adding this project.

Work crews will get rid of the soil at a landfill.

City planner Pat Martin said he’s very excited about this project.

“Well, it’s very positive for the city of Terre Haute. I mean, this shows people that we’re actively pursuing all of our brownfield sites in the city…And for this site, it’ll all be about creating jobs and creating income,” said Martin.

Vice President of the Redevelopment Commission Cliff Lambert said once the area is cleaned, the site will be used as commercial development.