Cleanup To Begin At Toxic Lot Slated For New St. Anthony Hospital And Focal Point Campus

Cleanup of a 30-acre toxic lot in Little Village starts this week to prepare for the Focal Point Community Campus and St. Anthony Hospital. The campus will include a children’s hospital, outpatient clinics, affordable housing, and a vocational school, serving an estimated half a million residents. Environmental tests revealed hazardous levels of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals, prompting the need for remediation. The first phase of cleanup is projected for completion in October, with a second phase before construction can commence.

To mitigate community concerns, trucks will avoid 31st Street and follow strict air quality monitoring protocols. The Chicago Southwest Development Corporation secured a state EPA grant to assist with cleanup costs. Local leaders, including Jennifer Aguilar, express optimism that the project will revitalize the area and create jobs. The design phase is currently underway, with plans awaiting EPA approval for further remediation efforts.