City Shares Findings & Process Related to Soil Conditions at Construction Site

The City of Sedalia issued a lengthy press release on Monday in response to an online speculation about a small pool of liquid seen at the Memory Lanes construction site:

The City of Sedalia is providing an update regarding soil conditions encountered during construction activities near the former Sutherlands property, Memory Lanes Bowling Alley, and the new Fire Station on the east side of town, following recent public discussion. On Friday, January 16, 2026, construction crews encountered a localized area of soil that required evaluation before it could be hauled off-site. This condition was not unexpected.

Prior to the start of construction, the City required environmental planning specifically to address situations such as this. Before any earthwork began, the City retained AP Engineering & Consulting, Inc. to prepare a Soil & Groundwater Management Plan, completed on May 22, 2025, under the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program. That plan established procedures for identifying, isolating, sampling, and managing soil or groundwater encountered during construction and governed the response when these conditions were identified.

According to documentation prepared by Nabholz Construction Senior Project Manager Frank Schaffer, once the soil was identified at approximately 1:00 p.m. on January 16, hauling operations in the affected area were stopped immediately. The material was isolated and remained on site pending further direction, exactly as outlined in the approved management plan. Because the activity was not on the project’s critical path, interim containment measures were implemented, including the construction of a temporary berm to isolate and control the material while sampling was arranged.

While these precautions were underway, a passerby took photographs showing darker soil and a small pool of liquid. Shortly thereafter, a second party reported their observations and complaints to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). At that time, the City and its contractors were already following required procedures and had initiated testing in accordance with the approved management plan. Nevertheless, those images were later published and circulated without context

City officials were notified the same day that MDNR had received the citizen inquiry. At that time, it was confirmed that no tanks had been identified or confirmed, the soil had already been properly isolated and contained, and the site response was being managed in accordance with the pre-established Soil & Groundwater Management Plan. No additional corrective action was required beyond the procedures already in place.

As a result of the premature circulation of images, incomplete information, and speculation appeared online before facts from test results were ever available. This temporarily diverted staff time to regulatory coordination and documentation, even though an established process was already underway and functioning as intended.

As part of our process, soil samples were subsequently collected by Apex and submitted for laboratory analysis to determine proper handling and disposal. Test results confirmed that the soil is non-hazardous and suitable for disposal at a licensed solid waste landfill. The material did not exhibit any hazardous waste characteristics under federal regulations. Metals were below regulatory limits, PCBs were not detected, petroleum hydrocarbons were present at moderate levels consistent with typical petroleum-impacted soil encountered during excavation, no free liquids were present, and the material was not ignitable.

Based on these results, the soil was approved for off-site disposal in accordance with landfill and state requirements and a disposal plan is being discussed with GFL. Further dirt removal and construction activities will continue as weather permits. This isn’t the first time we have had to deal with this though. Similarly, a previous complaint was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2025 during the construction of a development near this site. In that instance, City officials provided EPA Region 7 with site history, redevelopment plans, environmental reports, and documentation of coordination with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

After reviewing the materials, EPA confirmed that the City had met all environmental requirements and that the concerns raised were not merited. That matter was formally closed, and EPA indicated there was no reason for further involvement. In his memorandum, Frank Schaffer confirmed that the January 16, 2026, condition was anticipated through pre-construction planning and addressed using established procedures. He documented that the City proactively implemented environmental controls prior to construction and that those procedures were followed as intended when the condition was encountered.

The City supports openness and appropriate regulatory oversight and remains committed to sharing accurate information with the community. However, transparency is most effective when information is allowed to be reviewed, tested, and confirmed by qualified professionals before conclusions are reached. The City encourages residents to rely on verified information and official updates as projects move forward and remains focused on completing this work safely, responsibly, and in full compliance with environmental standards.