History of Bexley Landfill
Numerous environmental studies performed over the past several years have indicated that a former unlicensed, unregulated landfill located in the southwest corner of Bexley was never properly closed and contains levels of toxins at the surface and subsurface levels that exceed EPA standards for residential properties. Based upon studies commission by the City and the Bexley CIC, the former landfill's footprint generally extended west of the properties on Sheridan to Alum Creek, south of Bexley Village Apartments, and north of the commercial properties fronting Livingston Avenue.
The City and the Bexley CIC are taking an active role in studying the environmental conditions in and around this area, and taking steps to ensure safe living conditions for residents at properties that were constructed on and around the former landfill.
Ferndale Mayfield Landfill Studies
History
History of the Ferndale/Mayfield area, and the City's efforts to improve it
1920s: Portions of the area that is currently Ferndale/Mayfield was operated as a private landfill
1930s: The former landfill closed, and the site was vacant
1960s: 108 apartment units, distributed throughout 21 buildings, are developed on the former landfill
2003: The Southwest Bexley Master Plan calls for the potential redevelopment of Ferndale and Mayfield, and calls for connecting the streets to Sheridan Avenue via a Charles Street extension.
2000's: The City of Bexley purchases or is gifted with several parcels just north of Ferndale and Mayfield. Environmental tests of the sites indicate contamination with lead and arsenic.
2000's: The Bexley Community Garden is installed on City-owned property in the area, with garden plots receiving remediation and follow-up testing to ensure safe soil conditions.
2011: The Bexley Land Use Strategy calls for stabilization of Ferndale and Mayfield, greater connectivity to the area, and potential redevelopment
2013: The Bexley Strategic Plan reiterates the recommendations of the Southwest Bexley Master Plan and the Bexley Land Use Strategy, and expresses the need to protect residents in the area from displacement outside of Bexley, by exploring and providing alternative affordable housing arrangements.
2013: The Bexley Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) is created, in part to assist with redevelopment in the Ferndale and Mayfield area.
2015: Bexley City Council and the Bexley CIC agree upon a program to begin assemblage of apartment properties at Ferndale and Mayfield.
2017: The updated Southwest Bexley Strategic Framework expounds upon options for Ferndale and Mayfield, calling for further environmental exploration, conceptualizing recreational uses in the area, and reiterating the need to protect residents in the area from displacement.
2017/2018: The Bexley Community Improvement Corporation purchases two apartment doubles on Ferndale. Based on the results of subsequent environmental testing on the sites, the CIC creates a tenant relocation package and rent voucher program for residents of the CIC's property to ensure healthy living conditions, and to assist with continued Bexley residency for households with children in the Bexley City School District.
2018: A Phase I report is commissioned by the City and completed for all private property located within the suspected bounds of the former landfill
2018/2019: The City performs environmental remediation on City-owned land on the northern edge of the former landfill, and improves the site with athletic fields, a playground, and a rejuvenated community gardens
2019: The Franklin County Board of Health issues a letter to property owners in the area disclosing known conditions in the area and offering to perform further testing on private property
2019: Environmental remediation is performed on the Mayfield Apartment site, removing and replacing contaminated soil.
2020: A Phase II report is issued for the properties located at 960, 940, 934, 926, 920, and 929 Ferndale Place and 914 and 924 Mayfield Place. All properties exceed EPA thresholds for residential occupancy under the standards of the Voluntary Action Plan (VAP) program.
2020: Environmental remediation is performed on the two apartment doubles on Ferndale owned by the CIC. Due to the construction type of the below and above-grade living units, demolition of the buildings is necessary in order to comply with EPA VAP standards.
2020/2021: The City works with Franklin County Board of Health to analyze data gathered to date and to formulate a plan to ensure cleanup of contaminated parcels
2021: Bexley City Council passes Amended Ordinance 17-21, in order to provide the City with tools to ensure the cleanup of contaminated parcels
