Greensboro City Council votes to cap and cover contaminated soil at Bingham Park

The Greensboro City Council on Tuesday approved a cap and cover option for Bingham Park, foregoing a full remediation of the area due to available funding.

The park was opened in the 1970s atop an unregulated landfill, and was a key part of several neighborhoods in east Greensboro. It's received increased attention in recent years as community members have called for the contaminated soil to be removed.

Council voted 6-2 for a containment and cover option with councilmembers Hugh Holston and Mayor Pro Tem  Yvonne Johnson voting against it. They would prefer to seek money for a full remediation.

Councilmember Sharon Hightower said she's worried further delay could cause the city to lose its current funding, and with a looming election, it could be years before any movement is made again.

"I'm afraid of what's about to happen in our state and in our federal government, that if things don't go right, we don't have anybody listening to our concerns at all, and then where are we," she said. "Who will help us as we push forward to get the money for Bingham Park?"

The approved proposal is expected to cost $12.4 million, with the city identifying around $18 million in funding. As part of this proposal, a neighborhood park will also be developed on a portion of the former Hampton School property.

A full remediation would have cost upwards of $43 million.