Removal Work at 16th and Peoria - updated 12/02/2025
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is removing lead-contaminated soil from
an area within the City of Chicago’s planned 18th and Peoria Development near
the intersection of 16th Street and Peoria Street. This removal is
time-critical because the soil has high levels of lead. Removing this soil will
protect the public and allow the city to safely build this housing, green
space, and mixed-use development. Also, part of the planned El Paseo greenway
will be next to this site.
In
December, EPA will excavate lead-contaminated soil and ship it off-site for
treatment and disposal. Then, excavated areas will be backfilled with clean
soil and seeded. The work will be done during normal business hours, including
Saturdays, over the next few months. Residents may notice noise and truck
traffic. Please contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Meshach Padilla
for any questions or concerns: padilla.meshach@epa.gov
312-886-1070.
Background Information
The Site is an underdeveloped area south of 16th Street and running south along the east side of the former Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Right-of-Way to 18th Street located in the City of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois . The Site is bordered to the east by the former National Lead Site, which has been addressed under Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (IEPA) voluntary remediation program.
The former Loewenthal Metals Company owned and operated a smelter at 947 West Cullerton Street in Chicago, Illinois. EPA conducted a time-critical removal action at the Loewenthal Metals Site from July to October 2013, to remove high concentrations of lead in the soil to allow future residential use.
Following the June 21, 2013, sampling, BNSF’s contractor constructed temporary fencing around the known contaminated areas and sampled and managed the soil pile that was staged along Sangamon Street during the removal of the crossings and track from Cullerton Avenue to 18th Street. The soil was disposed of as special waste and railroad tracks removed.
In February 2025, during the City of Chicago’s ongoing remediation activities at their site adjacent to the subject parcel, site conditions were observed that indicated additional removal actions were necessary on the neighboring parcel. Because the City of Chicago did not own this parcel, the city referred the matter to EPA for further evaluation and assistance. Upon referral, U.S. EPA reviewed site ownership records and confirmed that the parcel was associated with a previous Time-Critical Removal Action (TCRA). Based on this determination, U.S. EPA initiated coordination to address the necessary removal activities.
Following the City of Chicago’s referral, EPA conducted additional sampling on site on October 27, 2025. EPA collected and analyzed 15 samples for total lead. Sampling results showed elevated total lead levels.
