The power station, built in 1912, has been shuttered since the early 1960s. The EPA Brownfield grant will be used to remove contaminated soil from the interior of the building in preparation for the development of the $40 million riverfront Powerhouse Science Center – a science, space and technology center that is planned for the vacant building.
“Revitalization of this site will ultimately bring forth a premier science and learning center to Sacramento that will educate the region’s children on science, space and technology,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson. “This funding is particularly essential to help with necessary clean-up to make the site shovel-ready for redevelopment.”
The City will use its Brownfield Clean-up Grant to perform remediation activities at the former PG&E power station. This will include the excavation and disposal of approximately 1,960 cubic yards of contaminated soil at an off-site hazardous waste facility. Following the remediation, soil samples will be collected to verify that adequate soil has been removed. The environmental clean up efforts are being overseen by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control.
“With this grant funding, we are one step closer to our goal of bringing a new regional destination to Northern California,” said Michele Wong with the Powerhouse Science Center. “We are currently raising funds for construction and exhibits.”
The Powerhouse Science Center is a nonprofit corporation with a 50 year history and operates from its current location at 3615 Auburn Boulevards as the Discovery Museum.
Ultimately, the future science center will link other riverfront amenities by transforming the site from unused land to a regional amenity that will also include a restaurant and educational center, a planetarium, and an inviting open space park area.
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