Council authorizes staff to apply for Danner Brownfields assessment for three city-owned properties

The Aberdeen City Council authorized the city manager to sign consent forms allowing the South Dakota Danner Brownfields program to conduct assessments of three city-owned properties: the Civic Arena, the Washington Building and the Civic Theater.

Amber, an economic-development staff member, told the council the purpose of the assessments is to identify potential environmental liabilities and determine whether remediation or abatement costs might qualify for Danner funding. Amber said the representative from the Danner program prepares the forms and coordinates the work; city staff would act as local coordinators.

When asked whether the assessments risked triggering demolition of the Civic Arena, Amber responded no, saying the assessment is an information-gathering step and not an automatic demolition or abatement action. She noted prior similar programs including work done on the KOB library and said the last studies generally last five years, so the city is updating prior work.

Council moved to approve staff proceeding with the application and consent process; motion carried on a voice vote.