The Southside Chattanooga area is immediately adjacent to downtown Chattanooga and was prone to flooding during the early 1900’s and prior to the development of damming and flood control measures by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Several of the homes along Read and Mitchell Avenues appear to have been built on 4-5 feet of clay fill.

In addition, the Battle Academy Elementary School which neighbors the site was sampled in mid June 2012. A 20’ by 20’ grid was laid over the school property and 140 grids were screened using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). No significant lead contamination was found and all lead levels were below 55 ppm.

Edit.........On Feb 1st,  ERRs placed sod at 110 East Main Street, 1605 Read, and 1607 Read Avenue. The crew also dismantled a small section of fence at 1609 Read, continued soil removal at 1609 Read Ave, and began excavation at 1611 Read. On Feb 2nd, ERRs continued to remove contaminated soil from 1609 Read, however at approximately 1100 hours, heavy snowfall began and was accumulating on the ground.  ERRs project manager stopped work at 1100 hours due to icy road conditions.

On Feb 4th ERRs completed contaminated soil removal from the lot at 1609 Read and began backfilling the area. Approx 140 cubic yards of clay and topsoil were used to backfill the lot prior to seeding as agreed upon with the owner. On Feb 5th, ERRs completed some minor repairs in the backyard of 1715 Read Ave and along the alley between Read Ave and Mitchell Ave. Once again ERRs continued excavating contaminated soils from the side and backyards of 1607 Read Ave. The majority of this excavation work was done by hand because of the proximity to the home and its structural integrity being in question.

On Feb 6th, the excavation of 1607's yard adjacent to 1605 Read and backyard continued and clay and topsoil was brought in prior to sodding on Thursday, Feb 7th. Start completed task specific air sampling during excavation operations in the backyard of 1607 Read. ERRs also took delivery of eight pallets of sod (fescue hybrid) in prep for operations on Thursday.

On Feb 7th, heavy rains which were forecasted for the area moved south of Chattanooga and ERRs completed excavating contaminated soils from along the driveway of 1607 Read and installed sod at 1605, 1607 and 1609 Read Avenue. Rain did move in the following day and operations were cancelled in the afternoon. ERRs fencing subcontractors did continue work at 1717 and 1719 Read Ave. On Feb 9th, the ERRs crew began preparing the property at 1631 Read for excavation activities.

April 15th through April 19th, 2013

On Monday, April 15^th, START contractors further assessed the 1700 Read Avenue property for contamination.  Upon further assessment, additional affected areas were observed, mostly on the north side of the property and some areas along the west front yard area.  The ERRS crew aerated the front yards of 1616 Read and 1618 Read and placed grass seed at these properties.  START screened areas in the back yard at 1618 Read per request of the property owner.  No areas of concern were observed.   The owner stated before that the material removed was dark and had several pieces of trash, brick, etc. START also re-screened areas in the back yard of 1616 Read Avenue to determine where work needed to take place. A fence was installed at 1733 Read to replace the fence removed for access during removal efforts. A fence was also installed at 1722 Read to replace the fence removed for access.

On Tuesday April 16^th, the ERRS crew began grading operations at 1615 Read Avenue.  Once grading was complete, topsoil was placed and compacted.  Rainfall began at approximately 1400 hours and operations were ended for the day. 

On Wednesday, April 17^th, the ERRs crew began placing sod at the back yard of 1733 Read.  Once this area was completed, the crew moved operations back to 1615 Read Avenue.  The crew continued to place topsoil at 1615 Read and placed plants in the ground at the direction of the property owner.  Once topsoil had been placed, it was compacted  and sod was placed. The crew also completed putting sod down at the front yard and back yard of 1617 Read, and placed a strip of crush-n-run at the edge of the alley way. 

On Thursday, April 18^th, the ERRs crew replaced the chain-link fence support bar at the back yard of 1725 Read Avenue.  Once the task was completed, the crew began contaminated soil removal at 1700 Read along the north and west yards (front yard and side yard).  Some brick pavers were removed from the sidewalk to make way for access to the front yard.  Upon removing the pavers, termites were observed. START notified the property manager of the observation for management to address.  The removal areas were backfilled with topsoil (did not dig very deep at this location), and sod was placed.  The paver sidewalk was reconstructed and straw was placed on the right side of the property that was utilized as access to the front.

On Friday, April 19^th removal operations were cancelled because of heavy rainfall. Conditions were also too wet on Saturday, April 20th to conduct operations.  

START contractors continue to assist with technical support, daily operations, post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf) and air sampling during excavation and staging of contaminated soils.

The OSC continues to coordinate clean up efforts and assessments with Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) and Tenn Dept of Health as well as Hamilton County health officials. TDEC and the OSC plan to update Chattanooga City Council during February 2013. A specific date has not been set by City Council.

The OSC, Tenn Dept of Health and Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) are currently preparing an assessment strategy for Chattanooga City Council addressing future lead assessments in the downtown area.

The OSC, Tenn Dept of Health and Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) are currently preparing an assessment strategy for Chattanooga City Council addressing future lead assessments in the downtown area.