State Street property gets environmental cleanup

By TED BOOKER
TIMES STAFF WRITER

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012

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Excavation work is being completed on property across from Burger King on State Street to address environmental problems caused by underground fuel tanks.

The property was purchased by Route 57 Development LLC from State Street Body Works in 2000, said P.J. Simao, managing partner for the company. It was involved in a court case until 2009 owing to environmental concerns.

Last spring, gas that leaked from underground fuel tanks was found on the property during an engineering study to build a Dunkin’ Donuts shop, Mr. Simao said. Plans for the Dunkin’ Donuts have been scrapped because the franchise didn’t want to do environmental testing at the site that would have increased the project cost.

“Gas tanks that had been there leaked and penetrated the soil over time,” Mr. Simao said, adding that the problem occurred before he purchased the property. “We’re in the process of cleaning it up, and the work should be done by the end of the week,” he said.

Work is being completed by GYMO Architecture, Engineering and Land Surveying, Watertown, and Independent Commercial Contractors Inc., Lorraine. After the site is inspected by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Mr. Simao will start looking for businesses interested in building there.

While a site plan has been approved for Dunkin’ Donuts, Mr. Simao doesn’t expect the franchise to reconsider building on the property. But he said the property is an attractive location for developers because of nearby restaurants and a streetlight. He said a fast-food or convenience store could be an ideal fit.

“Based on the Wendy’s that’s there, the remodeled Burger King and Little Caesars, I’d say that any type of food use on that property would go hand in hand with what’s already there,” he said. “I’m hopeful that anyone would want to build on the site.”

A Dodge dealership and gas stations formerly were situated there.