The City of Greensboro was awarded $11 million in state funding to conduct remediation at Bingham Park and various downtown Greensboro sites. The 12-acre Bingham Park, which is adjacent to the Eastside Park, Willow Oaks and Cottage Grove communities, served as a disposal site for incinerated waste until 1956 before being converted to parkland. In the late 2000s, the City began planning efforts, in conjunction with the community, to redesign and improve the park. The funding will support full waste removal, rebuilding stream banks, and more.
The site is categorized as a Pre-Regulatory Landfill since it was in operation prior to 1983, when landfill standards were established to protect health and the environment. Pre-regulatory landfills accepted types of waste not allowed in modern landfills. Funding will also be used to address multiple downtown Greensboro sites in varying stages of need of environmental mediation as the City continues its focus to decrease the number of vacant sites to improve economic vitality and opportunity for residents and visitors. This further elevates downtown Greensboro as a regional economic driver.
These projects support City Council priorities: Easiest Place to do Business and Hub of Recreation and Entertainment.