Substance found at casino site

TOLEDO, Ohio - A crew from the Ohio Environmental Protection is investigating a mysterious substance on the site where the proposed Toledo casino is supposed to be built.

The proposed site, located at 1968 Miami St., is right off of I-75 near the Toledo-Rossford border. The problem is apparently some reddish brown substance coming off the property and into the Maumee River.

What this substance is, is the big question. The state EPA took a series of photos on Sept. 25 after a motorist drove by the proposed casino site in September. The motorist alerted the Coast Guard station in Toledo, who in turn alerted state authorities.

"It was something we wouldn't expect, necessarily, to see going into the river," said Heather Lauer, Media Relations Coordinator with the Ohio EPA in Columbus.

 The substance is being tested to see what it is. Samples were taken from the field of the proposed site.

"(The investigator) took pH levels, using pH paper at the scene, so it was able to tell the pH of the seep was 11 or 12, so it was elevated," Lauer told FOX Toledo News.

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution.

Brad White, who owns the property, is cooperating with the EPA and is not concerned about the liquid.

"In this case, it's probably not some thing you'd want to come in contact with for a long time," Lauer said. "But it is alkaline. It indicates it's something other than water."

White said his group has relocated material, brought in clean fill dirt and created drainage. They've worked on the property for years, but now something else has come up.

"It's not something some of our technical people think would pose a problem but it's too early to say," Lauer said.

White told FOX Toledo News that Penn National, the group that would construct the Glass City casino if it passes, knows about the substance issue. He added the sale of the land won't be affected by this unknown liquid.

As for voters, 1968 Miami St., is listed on the Nov. 3 ballot, as with other casino land sites in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. If Issue 3 is approved by Ohio voters, the Miami Street location would be Toledo's casino site.

A spokesperson with Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said it's too late to change the ballot, especially because Ohioans across the state have already voted early.