Source: http://www.oglecountynews.com, July 22, 2015
By: Chris Johnson

Nothing unexpected was discovered after county workers removed six underground tanks last week at a former gas station in Oregon.

The Ogle County Highway Department dug up the underground tanks July 16 at 501 W. Washington St. These tanks stored fuel and other gas station chemicals.

“We knew there were six tanks and that is what we found,” said Ogle County Engineer Curtis Cook. “Two of the tanks were partially filled with sand and the smaller tanks had a little product but not a lot. We found what we expected.”

The highway department did exploratory digging to verify what was under the property before the final excavation began.

Several soil samples were taken throughout the process.

“I am waiting on the test results to see if there was any other contamination to the soil,” said Cook. “We have two piles of potentially contaminated material.”

When the level of contamination is verified, Cook will then know how to properly dispose of the material.

The soil underneath the tanks was also tested to make sure there was no additional contamination.

“We want to make sure there are no issues with the property,” said Cook. “You want to do what you can to make sure the site is clean.”

The Ogle County Board approved a multiple phase project to demolish the former gas station and turn the property into a parking lot.

The first phase of the project was to remove the former Jackass BBQ building from 501 W. Washington St. and add parking spaces. This included the removal of underground tanks, left from the gas station, that were discovered on the property.

The board approved a resolution in June to accept a proposal for $15,283 from Stiles Inc., Loves Park, to remove five underground storage tanks from the property.

Phase two will include the demolition of the house next door, once the lease expires with that renter. A date has yet to be set for that action.

The county purchased this house at 102 S. Fifth St. from Scott and Barb Spoor for $99,500 in December of 2013.

At that time the board entered into a three-year lease with attorney Robert Lowe, who has his office there.

The final phase will be completing the entire parking lot, which will have 39 spaces.

Costs for the project were estimated at $203,500 for the first phase. The final two phases have an estimated cost of $161,950 to complete.

The county board approved a bid on Tuesday from O’Brien Civil Works, Inc., Polo, for $144,386 to blacktop the area, which is currently gravel.

The board agreed that the cost must not exceed $145,000.

Cook said the contractors could start in August and have the parking lot completed by Oct. 1.

The Washington Street property will provide additional parking for the Judicial Center, festivals, and events in Oregon.