The community of Morris Plains, New Jersey, have been eagerly anticipating the end of remediation work at a former Pfizer property.
M&M at Morris Plains, LLC, have already purchased the land, and have grand plans for the site once it is free of contamination. The organization intends to rejuvenate the local economy by building 500 apartments, condominiums and townhouses, along with 1,000 square feet of retail space on the 63-acre site. A report provided by M&M estimated that the proposed developments could add almost $100 million to tax rolls.
The site was originally listed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as a location with "confirmed contamination." State officials first reported that there were "discharges of hazardous substances on the site" in June 1988, according to local news source NJ.com.
Fortunately, the process is almost complete. John Larkin, an employee of the Department of Environmental Protection, talked to the source about the progress already completed at the site.
"To date, we have remediated all of the contaminated soil on the area for the proposed development," he reported. Larkin also noted that workers have taken samples of excavated soil to verify the removal of contamination from the soil. However, the site still requires additional remediation efforts.
A conservation area located in a wooded portion at the north end of the site as well as land adjacent to Watnong Brook are still awaiting plans from the developer to be approved before work can be continued.
These areas may require special consideration to ensure that environmental work follows state guidelines and is safe for future residents. Morris Plains is in desperate need of more affordable housing, according to Mayor Frank Druetzler.
Environmental consultants can help to identify the best strategy to return the land to usable condition as rapidly and cost-efficiently as possible.