:A proposal to build the Aurora Ice Association’s rink facility on Quaker Road/Route 20A rather than Riley Street has been removed, probably permanently, from the consideration of the Village Board. No trustee showed support for the plan at the Village Board’s May 5 meeting.Under the proposal, put forward by then-Mayor David DiPietro in late 2007, the village would have accepted a parcel of land on Quaker Road gifted by its owner, Benderson Development. The village would then transfer the land to the Aurora Ice Association for the construction of the rink. Other parts of DiPietro’s plan called for a new fire station to be built on the Riley Street property owned by the ice association, and senior housing to be built at the current Oakwood Avenue fire hall.
The plan hit a snag when rumors surfaced of past dumping at or near the Quaker Road site, which is adjacent to the Aurora Town Highway garage. The board called for a Phase I environmental site assessment of the Quaker Road property by Clough Harbour Associates, and received the results of the study on March 17….
the study included above-ground reconnaissance of the 7.59-acre site, a check of previous owners of the property and surrounding areas, a records check with environmental agencies and government organizations, and interviews with those who might have knowledge of the site.
“Stained sediments were observed near the creek, a rainbow colored sheen was observed on groundwater discharging into the ravine through an outlet pipe down slope from the property and the fact that the terrain does not appear to be natural (i.e. fill was brought in) all contribute to this REC [recognized environmental
In the report, Clough Harbour Associates “recommends that a further environmental investigation of he subject property be performed in the form of a Phase II [environmental site assessment]” including testing water and soil and excavating test pits.
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