Environmental Progress - Fall 2000

Former State Hospital Site Sealed, Secured

Deteriorating structure posed asbestos threat

A deteriorating structure on the grounds of the now-closed Peoria State Hospital, deemed unsafe because of its dilapidated condition and large amounts of loose asbestos within the building, has been sealed and secured by an IEPA contractor. Located in Bartonville, Peoria County, the 700-acre facility was built in 1899 and closed in 1973. After closure, the former Illinois Department of Mental Health facility was purchased by the village of Bartonville in 1986 as a prospective re-industrialization area and renamed the Bartonville Industrial Park.

The structure of concern is the former powerhouse, built in 1899 and operated until 1948. A large brick building in the northwest corner of the property, the powerhouse is situated upgradient only a few hundred feet from a tributary of Kickapoo Creek which flows to the Illinois River.

There are some residential homes and commercial businesses in the immediate area. Children have been known to play in the unsafe building.

The Illinois EPA sealed the powerhouse in August 1997. "Seal Order" signs were placed on the powerhouse due to the deteriorating condition and the widespread presence of asbestos inside the building, but security of the building had not been maintained. Vandals and other trespassers have access to the building as evidenced by the damage that had already occurred. It therefore became one of the Illinois EPA's goals to re-establish the security of the building and alleviate the risks for exposure to the loose, blowing asbestos.

Illinois EPA utilized one of its subcontractors, Bodine Environmental Services, Inc., to perform corrective action work at this site during the first quarter of this calendar year. Bodine secured the building to alleviate the risks from exposure to the loose asbestos, removed and disposed of some waste drums, and performed some soil sampling. Between January and March 2000, Bodine and their subcontractors completed the placement of corrugated sheet metal covers over 65 windows and doorways of the former powerhouse. The total cost for this work was approximately $41,250.

The remaining work to be completed at the powerhouse site involves obtaining soil samples from the areas where contaminated PCB soil was removed. The former powerhouse is now secure.