Quantum Shore Developers Face Scrutiny Over Remediation Plans for Toxic South Works Site
Millions of dollars are expected to be spent by developers on cleaning up a toxic site that will be transformed into a cutting-edge quantum computing campus. Related Midwest and CRG, the companies behind the Quantum Shore Chicago project, have submitted plans to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for remediation at the former U.S. Steel South Works plant.
The site has been plagued by environmental concerns since its closure in 1992, with neighbors claiming that toxins and heavy metals like arsenic still linger. While the state agency claims that environmental remediation on the site is complete, the developers' plan has raised questions about whether the site is truly safe for human habitation.
According to the IEPA, a "no further remediation" letter verifies that site investigation and remediation have been completed and meet state cleanup standards. However, concerns remain about the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and other isolated substances in soil and groundwater.
The developer's plan includes an engineered barrier around the site to protect air quality and minimize respiratory health risks, as well as excavating and disposing of contaminants in two areas closest to residential zones. The estimated cost of the barrier is $25 million, while the remainder of the development area will cost more than $100 million over the life of the project.
Community organizations are pushing for greater assurances that the site's transformation into a technology hub will benefit the local community. Friends of the Parks and the Coalition for a South Works CBA have called for a commitment to four key benefits: establishing a fund to benefit residents, a framework plan for the Southeast lakefront, full remediation of the land, and ongoing environmental monitoring.
"We need to make sure that the community is not left behind," said Brian Gladstein, executive director of Friends of the Parks. "This is the moment, with this massive development, for us to demand equity on the Southeast Side."
Millions of dollars are expected to be spent by developers on cleaning up a toxic site that will be transformed into a cutting-edge quantum computing campus. Related Midwest and CRG, the companies behind the Quantum Shore Chicago project, have submitted plans to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for remediation at the former U.S. Steel South Works plant.
The site has been plagued by environmental concerns since its closure in 1992, with neighbors claiming that toxins and heavy metals like arsenic still linger. While the state agency claims that environmental remediation on the site is complete, the developers' plan has raised questions about whether the site is truly safe for human habitation.
According to the IEPA, a "no further remediation" letter verifies that site investigation and remediation have been completed and meet state cleanup standards. However, concerns remain about the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, and other isolated substances in soil and groundwater.
The developer's plan includes an engineered barrier around the site to protect air quality and minimize respiratory health risks, as well as excavating and disposing of contaminants in two areas closest to residential zones. The estimated cost of the barrier is $25 million, while the remainder of the development area will cost more than $100 million over the life of the project.
Community organizations are pushing for greater assurances that the site's transformation into a technology hub will benefit the local community. Friends of the Parks and the Coalition for a South Works CBA have called for a commitment to four key benefits: establishing a fund to benefit residents, a framework plan for the Southeast lakefront, full remediation of the land, and ongoing environmental monitoring.
"We need to make sure that the community is not left behind," said Brian Gladstein, executive director of Friends of the Parks. "This is the moment, with this massive development, for us to demand equity on the Southeast Side."
I'm low-key worried about this Quantum Shore project 
. I mean, they're gonna spend millions on cleaning up a toxic site, but are we really sure that's enough? 
Those petroleum hydrocarbons and metals still lingering in the soil and groundwater... it's not exactly reassuring. And what about the community benefits? 
The execs from Related Midwest and CRG seem pretty confident in their plan, but I think they need to do more to address concerns from neighbors and local orgs. 
We deserve some real guarantees that this project is gonna bring in positive change for the Southeast Side, not just some fancy tech campus 
.
. All those millions of dollars spent on cleanup doesn't necessarily mean it's totally safe for the community. I mean, petroleum hydrocarbons and metals still lingering in the soil? That's a pretty big red flag 
. And what about all these promises to benefit local residents? It feels like just another way for developers to buy their way into good favor 
. Can't we have a more transparent process here? Maybe some independent monitoring or community input on how those billions are being spent 
. And $25 million for an engineered barrier is a pretty big chunk of change... hope its worth it in the end 
. I mean, millions of dollars are being pumped into cleaning up a toxic site? That's awesome on one hand, but what if they're just trying to sweep it under the rug? 
. Still, I'd want to see those 4 key benefits for residents come to fruition ASAP 
. It's time for our city leaders to prove they're looking out for us, not just lining their pockets 
i get why though, like how can u trust that everything is fine just cuz the gov says so? 
. full remediation and environmental monitoring would be a start. it's time to make sure our community is part of this massive tech project, not just some afterthought.
. What's gonna happen to the community if this development doesn't go through with its promises? I mean, I've seen those community orgs pushin' for more transparency and benefits... it's like we learned nothin' from the South Works site debacle back in the '90s 
.
. We don't wanna be seein' a bunch of fancy new buildings and tech hubs, only to have the community gettin' left behind... again 
. That $25 million barrier might seem like a small price to pay if it means keepin' those toxins outta the air we breathe 
. But what about the other stuff? The soil remediation costs are gonna be huge 
... but it was a tough road to get there 
.
. We need some real transparency here, not just some slick PR campaigns 
. Can't we just learn from our mistakes and make sure this time around, everyone comes out on top? 
. On one hand, $125 million is a ton of cash, and if it's going towards making the site safer for humans, that's a solid investment 
Like, what's up with all these unanswered questions about petroleum hydrocarbons and stuff? 
I guess it's just one of those things where you've got to weigh the benefits against the risks. Maybe we'll get some answers soon, but for now, it all just feels kinda... uncertain 
. I mean, it's great that these developers are willing to put in millions of dollars to clean up a toxic site, but what about the long-term effects on the community? Like, are they really gonna make sure that these new "quantum computing campuses" bring some real benefits to the people living nearby? 
And can't they just commit to some real equity for the community instead of just slapping together a framework plan? 
And now they're trying to turn it into some fancy quantum computing campus? It feels like a double standard to me - we should be focusing on fixing the problems that already exist, not just slapping a new coat of paint on them 
. I get why the community is pushing for more guarantees that this project will benefit them, though. We need to make sure everyone's at the table and getting a fair shot 
.
It's like they're trying to play us for fools.
According to the IEPA's report, 73% of the site still has elevated levels of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and groundwater 
. That's a major red flag for me! And let's talk about those costs - $125 million is a ton of dough 
. We need to see some serious guarantees that this project will bring real benefits to the local community 
. We need to make sure that our communities are at the table, making decisions about their own future 
.
. You got these developers, related Midwest and CRG, trying to push through their plans without really thinking about the long-term benefits for the community. I mean, $125 million over 10 years is a pretty sweet deal for a bunch of new tech jobs, but what about the residents who are already living in a toxic neighborhood? 
. I mean, I get it, quantum computing campuses and all that jazz 
, but come on! Can't they just prioritize the people who have been living next door to this disaster zone for decades? It's not like they're asking for a lot, just some real answers about what's going to happen to their community 
. And $100 million?! That's just a drop in the bucket compared to all the toxic stuff that needs to be taken out of there 