Headquarters Environmental Review Process Update

The City of Sanford is aware that there has been public discussion and confusion regarding environmental conditions at the future Fire & EMS Headquarters site. We would like to provide clarification on the process and current status of the project.

The new Fire & EMS Headquarters is being developed on properties that include the former Courtney Cleaners site. Due to past dry-cleaning operations at that location, the property contains traces of tetrachloroethylene (PCE). The City was aware of this history before the project began and took proactive steps to address it, including conducting environmental studies, enrolling the property in the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Voluntary Response Action Program (VRAP), and working closely with Maine DEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and environmental consultants throughout the planning process. Environmental testing and regulatory review were already underway before demolition began, and contamination was not unexpectedly discovered during construction.

As part of the environmental review process, work on the former Courtney Cleaners parcel was initially limited to demolition of the building and concrete slab. A written directive prohibited soil disturbance until environmental testing was completed and the necessary regulatory approvals were in place. In March 2026, a subcontractor mistakenly disturbed a limited area of soil outside the approved work area. Once the City became aware of the issue, it immediately notified Maine DEP and EPA and coordinated with regulators to address the situation.

Since that time, additional environmental testing and regulatory review have continued. Results indicate site conditions are more favorable than originally anticipated, with no findings requiring soil to be classified as hazardous waste. The City is currently awaiting final review and approvals from Maine DEP on a revised Environmental Media Management Plan (EMMP), which will establish the requirements for managing soils and completing work on the former Courtney Cleaners parcel.

Although the regulatory review process has affected the timeline for this portion of the project, the City continues to work with DEP, EPA, and project partners to secure the remaining approvals needed to continue redevelopment of the site. The project continues to move forward, with materials on order so on-site work can proceed as soon as final DEP approvals are the revised Soil Management Plan is finalized. The project is on target to be completed within its original overall timeframe.