Contaminated Site in Chicago's Pilsen Neighborhood to Become Community Greenspace

EPA begins lead soil removal to prepare property for mixed-use development and public park

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started removing lead-contaminated soil from a long-vacant site in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, marking a step toward turning the former industrial parcel into usable community space, including a planned public greenspace.

Why it matters

The site sits in an area historically tied to lead production and transportation, which officials say is the likely source of the contamination. Previous cleanup efforts in the broader neighborhood have already involved federal, state, local, and private partners, underscoring the collaborative effort to address environmental issues and revitalize the community.

The details

Crews began work this week near the intersection of 16th Street and Peoria Street, where elevated levels of lead were found in the soil. The cleanup is expected to take several months and is designed to prepare the property for future mixed-use development, including the planned public greenspace. During the process, crews are excavating contaminated soil and hauling it off for proper disposal, with dust control measures and air monitoring in place to ensure safety.

  • The latest round of cleanup began after the city referred the property to the EPA in early 2025 for further investigation.
  • Soil testing confirmed lead levels high enough to require removal, prompting the current cleanup efforts.

The players

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The federal agency responsible for overseeing the cleanup and remediation of the contaminated site.

City of Chicago

The local government entity that referred the property to the EPA for further investigation and is involved in the broader redevelopment efforts.

BNSF Railway

The private company that has played a role in earlier remediation work in the neighborhood.

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

The state-level environmental agency that has also been involved in previous cleanup efforts in the area.

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What’s next

Once the excavation is complete, the area will be refilled with clean soil and seeded to reduce erosion, paving the way for the planned mixed-use development and public greenspace.

The takeaway

This collaborative effort to address the legacy of industrial contamination in Pilsen represents an opportunity to transform a long-vacant site into a community asset, providing residents with safer ground and new public green space in a neighborhood shaped by decades of heavy industry.