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.

On October 14th, theft was observed at the staging area west of Broad Street. Several items belonging to the ERRS contractor and their subcontractors were stolen, including a tamp, torch heaters, generator, power tools, etc.  The police were notified and a report was filed. The crew began removal work at the back yard of 1603 Mitchell A. Once contaminated soil was removed, the area was backfilled with clay and top soil, and tamped.  A drainage line on the right side of the structure was corrected and an extension to the line was placed through the back yard. Pea gravel was placed between 1603 and 1601 Mitchell A, as this area was full of clay (placed previously in an effort to aid in runoff from 1603 Mitchell A and to cover the drainage line). START screened the soil around the foundation of 1601 Mitchell A (structure on a very steep hill) and did not observe any exceedances for lead or arsenic, however the small back yard area did have exceedances for lead. 

On 10/15/13, the crew began excavation at the small back yard of 1601 MA.  Once contaminated soil was removed, the crew backfilled this area with clay and top soil, and tamped. During excavation, a drainage line was observed extended from under the sidewalk, however the utility line needed to be further extended to be useful, so the crew added an extension to the drainage line to allow water to run from the utility pipe off of the property.  The crew later began removal at 24 E. 16^th Street back yard. 

10/16/13, the crew continued to remove soil from the back yard of 24 E. 16^th Street. Removal areas were filled with clay, due to incoming inclement weather. Sod arrived and was promptly placed at the back yards of 1603 and 1601 MA. 

On October 17th, removal ops were cancelled because of rain.
 

10/18/13, the crew continued to remove contaminated soil from 24 E. 16^th Street, making way to the front yard of the property.  All of the soil in the front yard was removed with the exception of a small area of soil directly under an old vehicle and a strip leading out to the main road.  START communicated with the owner of the vehicle and he gave permission for the vehicle to be towed, since efforts to obtain the keys through the week did not pan out.

Oct 21st through Oct 25th 2013

On 10/21/13, the crew continued excavation operations at 24 E. 16^th Street.  Once removal was completed, the crew backfilled the area with clay and a layer of top soil, and the area was tamped.  A load of crush-n-run was also placed in the back alley way behind 1609/1605 Mitchell A. 

10/22/13, the crew began removal efforts at the back yard of 69 E. 17^th Street.  This area was backfilled with clay and a layer of top soil, and tamped on the same day. A load of crush-n-run was also placed in the parking area.

10/23/13, the crew began removing a strip of soil behind the church at 1700/1708 Underwood Street (adjacent to the alley way behind).  Remaining plants, irrigation system and compost pile belonging to the owner at 1703 Mitchell A were moved to his property. Once the contaminated soil was removed, the crew backfilled this area with clay and a layer of top soil, and tamped the soil.  During excavation, some areas of the alley were inadvertently chiseled away.  A load of crush-n-run was placed to correct where the alley way was compromised.

10/24/13, the crew began removal work in the back of 1700 Underwood Street, where Shiloh Baptist Church is located.  Half of this area was addressed and was backfilled with clay and a layer of top soil.  Sod also arrived on this day, and the crew placed the sod at 24 E. 16^th Street and at the partial back yard of 69 E. 17^th Street.

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 Novemebr 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.