When Shamrock owned the A.P. Green site they began a voluntary environmental cleanup program with the goal of earning a certificate of completion from the Missouri Department of Environmental Resources.

Last week the Mexico City Council committed to finishing the process.

The brownfields cleanup program is not required by the state. However, city officials believe a certificate from the DNR affirming the 104 acre site is safe improves the prospect of development on the property.

Brownfield and brown water refers to property that may be contaminated by hazardous chemicals or other materials.

“Why wouldn’t we do this?” asked city manager Bruce Slagle. “It’s close out and clean up. Our intent is to list the site for sale.”

Shamrock drilled wells for brown water monitoring. Reportedly the data came back clear of contamination beyond acceptable levels.

When the company sold the property to Abacus Industrial Holdings, the only remaining work involved backfilling the wells and filing paperwork with the state for approval.

The city signed a task order with Geotechnology, a water resources company in Memphis, to complete the process. Slagle says it will cost just over $9,000 to abandon the wells and up to $2,000 to compile the paperwork.

Work on site could take 60 to 90 days and be subject to DNR review before certification is approved.

“We hope to have everything completed by the end of the year,” Slagle said.