Kimball Avenue Brownfield Site Remediation, Redevelopment, and Attachment to the Bloomingdale Trail
Team Members Heading link
- Faris Eisouh
- Martin Figueroa
- Hashim Suleman
- Manuel Velasco
Advisors: Dr. Hossein Ataei; Shawn Murphy, PE
Project Description Heading link
This project will focus on the remediation and redevelopment of the 1807-1815 North Kimball Avenue brownfield site, followed by attachment to the 606 Bloomingdale Trail. A brownfield site is defined by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. According to an environmental assessment performed by the City of Chicago, the Kimball Avenue site has been subjected to decades of pollution and contamination from chemical waste products that leached into the soil from the various industrial and manufacturing facilities that have been located on the site, dating back to the late 1800s. Land use and development can significantly impact the social, emotional, and economic well-being of a community and its residents. This project will rehabilitate and redevelop a prime plot of land that has been destroyed by decades of pollution and improve it for public use to enhance community health, create new recreational space, and improve social equity.
Remediation will be achieved by first removing and replacing soils with the highest concentration of harmful chemicals, followed by in-situ chemical treatment of remaining contaminated soils, and finished with driving of sheet piles around the site perimeter to anchor the soil in place and prevent harmful chemicals from polluting neighboring sites through groundwater transport.
Redevelopment will include regrading and installation of rain gardens and porous concrete to address rainfall runoff within site boundaries, followed by paving of the 606 Bloomingdale Trail attachment and installation of additional recreational attractions. This project will deliver a multi-benefit public green space serving the surrounding communities of Logan Square and Humboldt Park.