Park Laundry Site Cleanup

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Environmental Cleanup at the Park Laundry Site in Downtown Ridgefield is complete! This remediation makes the property eligible for downtown revitalization.

Project Background
From about 1965 to 1977, this property was the site of a dry cleaner. During this time, a liquid solvent chemical that was commonly used in dry cleaning called tetrachloroethene (PCE) was released into the soil and groundwater. Concentrations of PCE were detected in soil and groundwater on the property above Washington State Department of Ecology standards and required cleanup.

The City of Ridgefield was awarded over $2 million in grant funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology, as well as an additional $195,000 from the Washington Department of Commerce to complete cleanup at the site.

Cleanup Details
Environmental Investigation conducted between 2006 and 2025 determined the extent of the chemical impacts. Affected soil was excavated from a 50-by-60 foot area to about 15 feet below the surface. 2,200 tons of contaminated soil was removed from the site and taken to a landfill designed to accept and contain hazardous waste. Then, the contractor injected a material that speeds up the breakdown of remaining chemicals into non-hazardous compounds. This treated groundwater is not used for drinking water.

These important remediation steps have made the property safer for future development, however groundwater will be tested periodically for some time to confirm the treatment remains successful and requirements will be in place to ensure safety during any future construction.

Now What?
While the Cleanup has made these parcels available for redevelopment, there is not currently a plan for the lots. The Park Laundry site and two lots to the south are owned by the City of Ridgefield. The two lots to the north are privately owned.

The parcels are located within the Central Mixed Use (CMU) zoning district, which includes special provisions designed to protect and enhance the small-scale, compact and mixed character of Ridgefield’s historic Downtown. Any future development will be required to meet standards that maintain the hometown character, promote downtown revitalization and support job creation.

Off Street Parking
The city-owned lots on the south half of the project area are now open as a temporary public off-street parking lot. The lot has been leveled with fresh gravel and lined for parking. The unmarked lots to the north are private property, please respect them as so and refrain from parking there.

Environmental Cleanup at the Park Laundry Site in Downtown Ridgefield is complete! This remediation makes the property eligible for downtown revitalization.

Project Background
From about 1965 to 1977, this property was the site of a dry cleaner. During this time, a liquid solvent chemical that was commonly used in dry cleaning called tetrachloroethene (PCE) was released into the soil and groundwater. Concentrations of PCE were detected in soil and groundwater on the property above Washington State Department of Ecology standards and required cleanup.

The City of Ridgefield was awarded over $2 million in grant funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology, as well as an additional $195,000 from the Washington Department of Commerce to complete cleanup at the site.

Cleanup Details
Environmental Investigation conducted between 2006 and 2025 determined the extent of the chemical impacts. Affected soil was excavated from a 50-by-60 foot area to about 15 feet below the surface. 2,200 tons of contaminated soil was removed from the site and taken to a landfill designed to accept and contain hazardous waste. Then, the contractor injected a material that speeds up the breakdown of remaining chemicals into non-hazardous compounds. This treated groundwater is not used for drinking water.

These important remediation steps have made the property safer for future development, however groundwater will be tested periodically for some time to confirm the treatment remains successful and requirements will be in place to ensure safety during any future construction.

Now What?
While the Cleanup has made these parcels available for redevelopment, there is not currently a plan for the lots. The Park Laundry site and two lots to the south are owned by the City of Ridgefield. The two lots to the north are privately owned.

The parcels are located within the Central Mixed Use (CMU) zoning district, which includes special provisions designed to protect and enhance the small-scale, compact and mixed character of Ridgefield’s historic Downtown. Any future development will be required to meet standards that maintain the hometown character, promote downtown revitalization and support job creation.

Off Street Parking
The city-owned lots on the south half of the project area are now open as a temporary public off-street parking lot. The lot has been leveled with fresh gravel and lined for parking. The unmarked lots to the north are private property, please respect them as so and refrain from parking there.

Please submit your questions about the Park Laundry Site Cleanup project here. Questions will be directed to the appropriate staff and responded to as soon as possible, usually within a few days.