Exploring Environmental Challenges to Redevelopment in the Greater East St Louis Area

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Researching

Non-Environmental Data Sources (Informal)

Neighbors or Community Residents

As part of the site assessment, it is critical to talk to neighbors of the site. Official documents can often be ambiguous or inconsistent; speaking to neighbors is a good way to double check official records and opens the door to further avenues of investigation. Long-term residents are sometimes able to piece together the various uses of a site and provide insight into ownership or use of a particular site or block. Do not under estimate the value of going around and talking to people you meet. Folks in the neighborhood can help make sense of the information you’ve pieced together from other sources or have been confused by because of gaps and inconsistencies!!

Physical Clues

On site visits are an important part of the information gathering process. When on-site, look for subtle clues for contamination. Sites may have obvious structures like gas pumps, above ground tanks, or waste, but there may be more subtle characteristics like sinking pavement, discolored soil or ailing vegetation. All of these will help to determine characteristics of the site.