Opinion: Did the District Buy a Hazardous Waste Dump?

LWSD property viewed from south along NE 67th St.

When LWSD announced that they were purchasing the 25-acre Cadman site for $40 million, I sent a public records request to the District for documents and information about the purchase.  I got a reply that I would get the information by May 28, 2021.  The district closed on the property on May 6.  It has or is next to a giant pile of construction debris (see picture).

The Bargain and Sales Deed that I found on King County's parcel viewer contains an "Environmental Release" on pages 8-9 that states that there may be hazardous substances on the property.  Page 10 grants a "Noise, Dust and Vibration Easement" to Cadman so that they can still run their gravel operation next door.

It is disturbing that the District agreed to these terms.  It's also disturbing that the District was so secretive about this purchase until a few days before the sale was completed.  Did the District just buy a hazardous waste dump?

-- Susan Wilkins, opinion

    5/19/2021

No, I can't imagine the District would ever build a school over a hazardous waste dump.  B. Yoder