Questions Emerge Over Possible Fuel-Contaminated Soil at Tracy Community Center Project

Investigative pictures provided at the bottom of Article.

TRACY, MINNESOTA — Serious environmental and public health concerns have surfaced following the reported discovery of fuel-contaminated soil during utility excavation work connected to the Tracy Community Center renovation project earlier this month.

According to local residents and individuals familiar with the excavation activity, workers installing new sewer and water lines on May 5, 2026, encountered soil allegedly contaminated by leaded gasoline residue tied to the property’s historical use as a gas station and repair facility during the 1960s and 1970s.

Witnesses say the excavation contractor notified the City of Tracy after the contamination was discovered. However, allegations have since emerged that a city official instructed the contractor to place the contaminated soil back into the trench temporarily rather than immediately isolate and remove it.

No public statement from the City of Tracy has yet confirmed or denied those claims.

Odor Detected Blocks Away

The issue may have remained unknown to the public if not for two Tracy residents who reported smelling strong fuel odors from more than a block away from the excavation site.

The residents later approached excavation workers to ask about the source of the odor. According to the residents, an excavation operator allegedly stated that the company had notified city officials about the contamination but had been instructed to place the soil back into the trench and that “the city will deal with it later.”

On Thursday, May 7, the two residents say they observed excavation crews continuing work at the site.

Concerned that the contaminated material was not being properly handled, the residents returned on Friday, May 8, around 1:00 p.m. and collected a sample of the soil themselves using a bucket and shovel.

According to the residents, excavation personnel questioned what they were doing. The residents responded that they were taking a sample because they believed “this is wrong.”

Witnesses say excavation company personnel then made several phone calls, and by approximately 1:30 p.m. the site had been secured.

Environmental Response Begins

On May 11, excavation crews reportedly returned to the site and implemented additional safety measures, including consolidating the suspected contaminated soil into a single pile and covering it with protective plastic.

The following day, May 12, an environmental testing agency arrived at the site to collect soil samples.

By May 13, the excavation company had reportedly obtained permits to transport contaminated soil to the Lyon County landfill for disposal.

At present, the visible contaminated material at the Tracy Community Center site appears to have been removed and contained. However, questions remain about whether additional contamination may still exist underground.

Concerns About Remaining Contamination

Residents are now asking whether contaminated soil may still remain beneath portions of the property, including beneath utility lines or even under the building foundation itself.

Environmental experts have long warned that petroleum-contaminated soils can pose risks to groundwater and infrastructure if left untreated. Some residents have expressed concern about whether contaminants near newly installed plastic water lines could potentially create future health concerns if not properly remediated.

At this time, there has been no public confirmation that contamination reached groundwater or municipal drinking water systems.

Still, critics argue that the lack of transparency surrounding the incident has damaged public trust.

Three weeks after the initial discovery, residents say no public announcement, community notice, or official explanation has been issued by the City of Tracy regarding the contamination or the response timeline.

MPCA Notified

According to individuals familiar with the situation, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has been notified and is in the process of assigning a project manager specializing in underground fuel tank leaks and contaminated soil remediation.

The property’s history may prove significant in the investigation.

Historical records and longtime residents identify the location as a former gas station and repair facility during the 1960s and 1970s. The property later became a bank, then office space used by ADO, before eventually being acquired by private ownership and later purchased by the City of Tracy for redevelopment into the current community center project.

Questions remain regarding whether all previous property owners were aware of any underground contamination associated with the site’s earlier commercial use.

Calls for Transparency

Residents are now calling for greater transparency from city officials, including answers to several unresolved questions:

• What specific contaminants were found at the site?

• Who instructed excavation crews to return the material to the trench?

• Was proper environmental protocol followed immediately after discovery?

• Could additional contamination still remain underground?

• Will further soil and groundwater testing be conducted?

• Why has no formal public statement been issued?

The Tracy Headlight Herald has reportedly been informed of the situation, though no article had been published on the matter as of this writing.

For many residents, the issue extends beyond a single construction project.

The central concern now is whether the contamination was handled appropriately from the moment it was discovered — and whether public health and environmental safety were given the level of urgency such a situation demands.

As state environmental officials begin reviewing the site, Tracy residents are waiting for answers.

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