The Springfield school board has approved the purchase of land that would serve as home to a new elementary school and consolidated administrative offices for District 186… despite lingering questions about environmental conditions on the property.
The 41-acre site near 11th and Stevenson was at one point the home of the FiatAllis plant, raising concerns that there could still be contamination from the years of industrial work there.
District officials say the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has inspected the site and is expected to issue a letter next month saying no further remediation is needed. Superintendent Jennifer Gill says the $1.6 million deal will be canceled if that letter is not issued.
