Ultra Cleanup Site
About the Project
This project is cleaning up soil and groundwater contamination from former dry cleaners located on the site west of City Hall on the east side of Bothell Way NE between SR 522 and NE 185th St known as the Ultra site.
The project involves excavating to remove contaminated soil at the original site of the dry cleaners and injecting a series of treatment barriers directly into the groundwater to break down contaminants within the plume, which will prepare the site for future use. Learn more on Ecology's website or by checking out the construction sign graphic below.
| Timeline | What's Happening |
|---|---|
2001 - 2020 | Multiple investigations and interim actions were performed for the City as a part of Downtown Redevelopment Planning and Right-of-Way improvements and for the property owners to assess the extent of contamination |
| 2012 | The City acquired the property as a part of downtown redevelopment |
| 2021 - 2022 | Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study and draft Cleanup Action Plan completed |
| Sept. 26 - Oct. 25, 2022 | Public comment period open |
| Early - Mid 2023 | Project in design |
| Late September or early October 2025 | Construction expected to start |
| November 10 and November 14 - 22 | Overnight construction expected |
| Late November 2025 | Construction expected to be completed |
Why is cleanup needed?
Past dry-cleaning operations released a chemical called PCE (tetrachloroethene) into the soil and groundwater. Cleanup removes this chemical from the ground, preventing further pollution and protecting the Sammamish River.
What does the work entail?
The project involves excavating to remove contaminated soil and injecting a series of treatment barriers directly into the groundwater - these barriers break down contaminants within the soil and water, which prevents them from spreading and prepares the site for future use.
Is it safe to live and work nearby?
Yes. Air quality is not affected, and it is not dangerous to be in the area. Downtown groundwater is not used for our drinking supply.
When will work happen?
Construction is expected to begin at the end of September and finish in late November. Most work will take place weekdays between 7:00am and 6:00pm, with some weekend and overnight work.
What impacts should I expect?
Noise will be loudest for properties within about 100 feet, reaching levels of 80 – 90 dB, which is about as loud as a hair dryer or lawn mower heard outside. There will also be limited lane and sidewalk closures, and brief property access impacts. Affected properties and businesses have been contacted directly.
Why is night work necessary?
This project is located in a busy area downtown, spanning across public and private properties. Given the complex nature of environmental cleanup, some elements of this work need to be conducted at night to have the lowest overall impact and minimize total project time. We know overnight work may be significantly disruptive to residents adjacent to the project site and thank anyone impacted for their patience. This overnight work allows for the shortest duration of disruptions and the quickest removal of the contamination before heavier seasonal rain starts.
Who is paying for this?
The cleanup is jointly funded by the City of Bothell and the Washington State Department of Ecology. This investment removes contamination from the site and allows it to be used for something new in the community.
What happens after construction?
In-ground barriers will continue to treat groundwater over time, with regular monitoring for at least two years.
The site was originally home to three dry cleaners between the early 1950s and February 2012 - Ultra Custom Care Cleaners, Raincheck Cleaners, and NuLife Cleaners. These dry cleaners used Perchloroethylene/PCE (also known as tetrachloroethene) or "PERC" solvent. Contamination from dry cleaning operations was first identified on the site in 2002.
Several environmental investigations and interim actions to reduce the levels of groundwater contamination have been completed since the site was listed on Ecology’s Confirmed and Suspected Contaminated Sites List. The Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) defined areas of contamination from PCE, a chemical commonly used in the dry cleaning industry, and its breakdown products (which are also Ecology-regulated chemicals) in soil and groundwater at the Site. Soil at the Site is contaminated with PCE on the source property near the former dry cleaning businesses. PCE and its breakdown products have migrated downward to the groundwater table and to the south-southeast from the source property in a groundwater plume.
When the City acquired the property as part of the Downtown Revitalization Plan, the last remaining former dry cleaning building was demolished in 2013 to construct the new City Hall building.
Completing this cleanup action has long-term benefits, including:
- Protection of human health through cleanup or mitigation efforts.
- Increased property values through cleanup and potentially eliminating environmental covenants that could limit the future land uses of a property.
- Increased foot traffic to Bothell’s downtown core through sale and development of currently vacant properties. Investors are more willing to buy and develop properties that have already been cleaned up, or those that have an Ecology-approved plan for cleanup.
- Protection of the environment by improving groundwater quality. This will prevent contamination from migrating farther.
- No direct cost to downgradient private property owners. The City is responsible for cleanup of contamination resulting from releases from the site.
For accommodations, such as alternate formats or language assistance, please contact Public Works Administration at pwadmin@bothellwa.gov.
Para adaptaciones, como formatos alternativos y asistencia con el idioma, comuníquese con Public Works Administration en pwadmin@bothellwa.gov.
Learn more about Title VI.
