JUNE 2025 THOMAS STREET NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR WITH THE FRIENDS OF WAUSAU HISTORIC LANDMARKS.
Citizens for a Clean Wausau and the Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks teamed up in the Thomas Street Neighborhood this month. With the Friends of Wausau Historic Landmarks, we learn about the history of Wausau, the ornate landmarks, the lumber barrons, and how Wausau was formed. This month was a unique blend of the beauty, as well as the damge done from former factories in the area. Thomas Street was the home to Crestline (the area is now owned by Wauleco/Sentry Insurance) and across the street was the former site of Connor Industries, where St Vincent DePaul sits today.
Approximetely 55 people came for the tour this month. There was much to be learned about what went on before the days of environmental laws….and some of what still goes on. We learned about air quality violations that still go on today and barrels of contaminants that were buried in the ground years ago. Bringing these two groups together was an excelllent way to experience the whole picture.
Citizens for a Clean Wausau pushed for the remediation of the soil at Riverside Park where the tour began. Remediation was completed only up to the back yards that bordered in this area of the community.
Have you wondered what these little huts are and what they do? They pull from the plumes of pollution under the surface. In this case, not all pollution is visible. By 2016 these aided with the removal of 147,000 gallons of Penta from the ground in its pure form. The consultant said there could be as much as 171,000 gallons left in the subsurface. The DNR said it could be as high as 420,000 gallons left under ground in multiple plumes.
Have you ever wondered what Penta is? Starting in 1944 wood at Crestline Window and Door was treated on site with Penta. Penta is short for Pentachlorophenol (PCP). It is dissolved in mineral spirits and 10% inert materials. Monitoring continues.
Focus on the revitalization and redevelopment is being considered by AYRES. AYERS is the same company that redeveloped the land the General Motor plant sat on in Janesville. Although the DNR provides guidance and technical expertise in the matter, do we really know what is lurking and percolating under the surface? Should we really cover it up and move on? You will see these monitoring wells throughout the neighborhood, still monitoring.
This Wausau 3M plant’s extensive environmental history already includes historical spills, among other incidents, some of which led to residual soil contamination in the adjacent neighborhood park or petroleum entering and impacting the Wisconsin River bordering the park. It is currently undertaking DNR-mandated TCE vapor intrusion testing in multiple neighborhood properties and homes because of TCE groundwater contamination associated with its site. Credit: Citizens for a Clean Wausau
