City/MDE Partnership On “Linens” Building Moves Forward

Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr. is pleased to announce that the Maryland Department of the Environment will be on site at the “Linens of the Week” property on Anne Street in the Church Street neighborhood in Salisbury today, March 22nd, to retrieve soil samples from different areas on the property to determine the extent of environmental issues.

“The city and MDE are working swiftly to put in place the necessary elements to prepare for the demolition of the building. I constantly have to remind myself that each of these steps must be taken in order to get to the goal of homeownership on Anne Street. I welcome the lightning speed which MDE has afforded the city to come to Salisbury and complete their research. Residents in the Church Street neighborhood deserve better than what they are looking at on Anne Street and I assure them that change is coming.” Mayor Ireton said.

Assistant City Administrator Loré Chambers said, “The City of Salisbury has been working collaboratively with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) since September 2007, to determine the extent of environmental issues at the 407 Anne Street property. MDE staff has been very cooperative and interested in our efforts to ensure the safety of the community and to address our needs. On July 9, 2010, city staff met with Mr. James Carroll of MDE to review information about this site and to develop a strategy for a path forward. Since that time, MDE has reviewed previous environmental reports and has agreed to work with us to obtain additional soil samples.”