Superfund Sites In or Near South Scottsdale
Most every buyer I work with that starts looking at homes in Scottsdale eventually comes across homes for sale in “South Scottsdale” that are priced well, although older. Their are some value properties in South Scottsdale that are a mixed blend of Scottsdale Patio Homes, Town homes, Apartment Conversions and Single Family Detached Homes. Build Dates are between 1965 to about 1985 in most of the “Older Communities of Scottsdale” and further investigation will reveal that these homes are located in areas where manufacturing companies like Motorola, Siemens and Smith-Kline Beecham were once producing products with chemicals and pouring those off into the ground. So began the creation of the Superfund Site.
Awareness of Toxic Waste in Scottsdale
Awareness of Toxic Waste became more and more prevalent in the late 70′s and early 80′s. Further investigation performed by the EPA discovered that companies around the US were embracing this practice so theEPA and other Governmental entities and public pressure forced regulation condemning the practice. One of those companies that were major contributors were Motorola and they were heavily fined along with other companies. The bulk of those fines were placed in account named the “Super Fund”. Monies from the Super Fund account were used to pay for clean up of the toxins in the soils and those toxins that leached into the ground water.
The first proposed remedy in the EPA’s outline agreed to by those companies that were the big contributors came in 1988 when the ground water clean up plan was initiated which followed in 1991 with the soils treatment and then finally the 2001 decision for a final outline of the clean up process. The EPA’s site will also tell you that the process is still continuing. Soil clean up is expected to have been completed by this year but the ground water clean up is still ongoing. Here is a map of the Areas near homes in or around 85250, 85251, 85257 and 85258 that may be effected by this environmental issue.
North Indian Bend Wash Superfund Site Map
In spite of the fact that this environmental area has been of a concern, it has not prevented people from living actively in their homes in this area at all. In fact, much of this area is seeing an improved home structure and neighborhood. Investors are purchasing and flipping homes updating them with more modern features typically called “Mid-Century Modern” which is very appealing to a younger crowd. The improvements can be pretty substantial with new wiring, plumbing, air conditioning and so on.
Investors Pay Cash For Scottsdale Town Homes
The area is also fraught with Canadian investors paying cash for anything under 150 thousand located in this area. Some are using the dwellings for 2nd residences and others are renting those out.
Not much is changing and I have seen no sign of any kind that would indicate that this area is a turn off for buyers, inspire of the Superfund site stigma.
Resources for this article include:
EPA Page for Region 9 Super Fund Site
- Containment and Risks
- Investigation and Clean Up Activities
- Clean Up Results To Date
- Public Information Contacts
