Demolition of Former Speedy Citgo to Begin Early October

Palatine expects to raze the former Speedy Citgo gas station property at 5 W. Palatine Rd. this fall and begin a clean up of the property.

Monday the Village Council approved a $105,400 contract with Shaw Environmental. The cost to demolish the building at the southwest corner of Palatine Road and Plum Grove Road is $63,100. The removal of three underground gasoline storage tanks will be about $42,300.

“The property will be cleaned up to a ‘residential standard,’ which is a more rigorous standard than commercial developments require,” said Matt Barry, director of public works.

The collection of soil samples also will be conducted and a report provided to the village to identify whether there are any contamination at the site. The project is expected to begin in early October, according to Barry, and barring any unforeseen circumstances will likely take less than a month to complete.

“The cost is expected to be reimbursed up to 85 percent by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency,” said Reid Ottesen, village manager. “The remaining cost of the project will be covered by an environmental clean-up escrow account set up by the village.”

The 0.37 acre property cost about $1.2 million to acquire. Federal grant money was used to pay for part of the acquisition cost because it was a consequence of the Palatine Road construction project. A portion of the purchase price, $450,000, was placed in an escrow account and will be used to deal with any environmental or clean up costs associated with the property.

“Unless something unexpected happens in regards to additional contamination we have not accounted for, the project should be completed before winter,” Barry said.

There could be up to two years of remediation on the property after the demolition and underground storage tank removal to ensure the property is safe and free of ecological and health risks.

Assistant Village Manager Sam Trakas, assistant said there are no immediate plans for the property, but that it could potentially be part of a future commercial development.