Complex Clean-Up

Sarasota Observer:  Group alleges Ed Smith cover-up
SRQ Daily:  Critics:  Sarasota wrongly kept stadium report quiet
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Fox 13:  Ed Smith Stadium Toxin Study

The Ed Smith Stadium Complex:  

An environmental accident waiting to happen?

Last July, Sarasota County signed a multi-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles which calls for major construction renovations to Ed Smith Stadium. It has come to light that a comprehensive environmental report of the Ed Smith complex documents a plume of vinyl chloride contamination that is migrating southeast toward residences and an elementary school.

Background
Negotiations on a multi-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles required the Sarasota City Commission to turn over rights to Ed Smith Stadium while maintaining financial liability for addressing any outstanding environmental issues that will arise on the site as a result of the new construction.

Because the stadium site had previously been a landfill, City Commissioners required expert assurance that environmental issues had been thoroughly investigated before signing off on the agreement. An abbreviated, two-page environmental report conducted in June 2009 served as the basis for City Commission approval of the Orioles agreement on July 22.

New developments
A more detailed environmental study had been completed just days prior to City Commission approval to move forward with the pro baseball deal. That 117 page study, conducted at taxpayer expense by Leggette, Brashears & Graham, reveals a potentially troubling environmental picture for the City of Sarasota, nearby residents, and students who attend Tuttle Elementary School located within a short distance of the stadium complex.

·The report documents the existence of a migrating plume of vinyl chloride contamination that is moving to the southeast, toward residences and the nearby elementary school.

· The report further documents levels of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, specifically iron, manganese, sodium and sulfates that exceeds standards set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The most volatile contaminant, vinyl chloride, exceeds state maximum standards by 700%.

· The report states that "in May 2007, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection recommended reducing reclaimed water irrigation at the site to alleviate the groundwater mounding, which may be influencing the migration of the contaminant plumes." It goes on to state that "a reduction in irrigation at the site is not possible without severely impacting the sites ability to continue operations as a professional baseball facility.

The information from the July 17th report raises the following questions:

How will the City and County protect nearby residents and students from exposure to toxins
during a renovation of Ed Smith stadium?

What will be the financial impact of a contamination clean up due to construction?

Is the City of Sarasota prepared for this financial burden?

Who was aware of the contents of the July report before approving the Orioles deal?

Were the public health and financial interests of Sarasota's citizens served with regard to the
contamination issues at Ed Smith stadium?

Conclusion - A Request for Action

The contents of the July 17th report and its financial and public health implications were a surprise to members of our organizations, who have been following the stadium negotiations closely. The July 17 report on the Ed Smith site was produced at taxpayer expense.

We believe the citizens of Sarasota have an interest in knowing the contents of this report. We also believe our local government has an obligation to fully integrate the reports contents into their decisions regarding Ed Smith stadium.

We ask that our local government make the July 17 report easily accessible to the public, and we ask them to provide the public answers to the questions we have raised and any other questions the public may have.