Woburn Superfund Site Almost Cleaned Up

Its history of pollution dates back to the Civil War, but 25 years after being declared a Superfund site, Woburn's Industri-plex in Massachusetts is just about cleaned up. A retail complex there has opened recently.

1 minute read

February 18, 2009, 10:00 AM PST

By Judy Chang


"To aid and protect the Industri-plex cleanup, the EPA on Jan. 13 asked the Woburn City Council to make all the site's roads public, a process the city government had already started, said Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen.

The EPA also asked Woburn to foreclose on three Industri-plex properties owned by Chestnut Hill Realty Trust. Those three parcels sit on some of the site's most contaminated land, and the sole surviving member of the trust has no interest in holding onto the property, as it has no real commercial value, LeMay said. The EPA wants a responsible property owner who will recognize the land restrictions and protect the cleanup remedy, he said.

Nearly all of the Industri-plex property has land restrictions, but the EPA has approved 10 work plans for development there. The first was the 34-acre, $10-million Anderson Regional Transportation Center, a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority hub that opened in 2001 and is named for Jimmy Anderson, a young child who died of cancer in 1981 and whose mother filed a lawsuit over the contamination."

Thursday, February 12, 2009 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog