County cleaning up toxic site in Bellevue

By Kelly Kearsley
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

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But the building, in the 600 block of 112th Ave. N.E., eventually may be torn down if the property is transferred to the city of Bellevue as planned, City Manager Steve Sarkozy said.

The county plans to transfer the property to the city of Bellevue as part of a larger, legal settlement unrelated to the child-care center's closure. The settlement, between the city, county, a local boat club and property owner, resulted from claims by the boat club that sediment from a creek was impeding boat access.

The state had shut down Surreydowns Children's Center in August, after a health survey of the building revealed several problems, including hazardous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in brown liquid that was dripping from the light fixtures. PCBs are a suspected cause of cancer and linked to other possible health problems.

The report also cited mold growing on the ceilings, walls, countertops and sinks, water-damaged ceilings, and unsafe electrical receptacles.

The county leased the property to Debbie Coburn, who ran the child-care center. But Elaine Kraft, county spokeswoman, said that lease is now finished. Coburn could not be reached for comment.

Windows of the child-care center are now boarded up, and toy shovels still sit in its sandbox. Inside, Kraft said, workers are removing light fixtures and tearing up carpet. Workers also cleaned areas and double-checked carpet and light fixtures in the adjacent district-court building.

Kraft didn't know the total cost of the cleanup.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a report on the child-care center in September, stating it did not believe children were exposed to dangerous levels of PCBs. The potential existed for some future exposure because of the eroding light fixtures, the report says.

Kelly Kearsley: 206-464-2112 or kkearsley@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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