EPA Sets Cleanup Plan for 103 Sawyer Street
The $9.25 million soil remediation project will prepare the New Bedford site for mixed-use development by next summer.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Commercial
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The EPA has announced a $9.25 million remediation plan to clean up PCB-contaminated soil at 103 Sawyer St. in New Bedford. The six-month project aims to prepare the city-owned property for mixed-use development by next summer.
Why it matters
Removing toxic PCB pollutants from the site is a necessary step to transform the long-vacant land into a usable space for the community. The cleanup ensures the area meets safety standards for future mixed-use development, building on ongoing environmental efforts near the harbor.
The plan covers a $9.25 million budget for soil removal and 30 years of site maintenance. Contractors will remove contaminated soil up to 3 feet deep across the property, with additional land use controls planned for the northern edge.
The players
Environmental Protection Agency
The federal agency tasked with protecting human health and the environment through the oversight of hazardous waste cleanups.
City of New Bedford
The local municipal government that has maintained ownership of the 103 Sawyer St. property since the 1940s.
The details
The cleanup involves excavating the top 3 feet of soil across the site and replacing it with clean fill to eliminate PCB contamination. A containment cell located on the eastern side of the property will remain as part of the management strategy, with grass and vegetation eventually covering the area. Because deeper PCB contamination exists at the northern edge of the property, the EPA will implement land use controls there to ensure long-term site safety.
Timeline
1940s: City of New Bedford acquired the property.
Late 2025: EPA completed the in-water harbor cleanup.
October 28, 2026: EPA presented the plan at a virtual meeting.
Next six months: Estimated duration of the remediation work.
Summer 2027: Expected date the site becomes ready for development.
The Home Front
This remediation marks a critical step in the ongoing urban revitalization efforts centered around the New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor. The project follows the successful conclusion of large-scale in-water cleanup efforts, signaling a shift toward developing previously contaminated shorefront land.
Residents near the Sawyer Street site should anticipate increased construction activity during the six-month cleanup period. You can monitor progress on local city environmental portals as the property transitions toward its future mixed-use designation.
The takeaway
The transformation of the 103 Sawyer St. site will eventually open new opportunities for local mixed-use development in the harbor area. Residents can stay informed on the timeline by tracking the project milestones scheduled to conclude in summer 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest projects in the Commercial sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New Bedford Light.
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