CHICAGO (AP) - A toxic former industrial site on Chicago’s Southeast Side is being considered for a 36-acre solar farm, according to a published report.
The proposal would mark a first-of-its-kind transaction for the Cook County Land Bank Authority, which usually sells properties to buyers who develop vacant buildings or land, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.
The property is part of the now-dormant Acme coke operation. The land bank wants to lease the land to California-based solar company Sun Power for as many as 35 years. A lease-option agreement is in the works. The company will have two years to figure out if it wants to agree to a long-term lease.
The site has been deemed toxic by state and federal officials. Earlier this year, a community group sought to have the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency clean the site so it can be developed into a park or other usable space. There are two city parks nearby.
Since the land has been abandoned for years, there were millions of dollars in back property taxes owed, according to Cook County records.
The land bank has sought bids from companies who will look at environmental cleanup.
“Given the history of the site, it is important that we clearly understand the challenges,” the land bank told the newspaper.
SunPower has previously been involved in area developments. In 2010, it developed a 41-acre solar power plant with Exelon on Chicago’s South Side.
“These projects require thorough due diligence, and we have not yet formally entered into the phase where we can determine if this site will be viable for solar,” Nathan Griset, a SunPower senior director, said in a statement.
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