Frisco approves $22M increase for Exide cleanup ahead of Grand Park groundbreaking

Ahead of an April groundbreaking on Grand Park, Frisco officials approved nearly $22.4 million in funding for environmental cleanup at the nearby former Exide Technologies site.

Frisco City Council members approved the increase at a March 3 council meeting. Total costs for the cleanup project are now estimated at just over $62 million, per city documents.

Some context

Grand Park, a planned 1,011-acre park along the Dallas North Tollway, will feature community gathering spaces, a pond, adventure play areas, sports facilities and a botanic garden with nature areas.

Construction on Grand Park has been delayed due to environmental contamination at the Exide site, a former lead battery recycling plant that leaked hazardous chemicals into the soil and water, according to previous reporting.

How we got here

The former Exide Technologies battery recycling facility closed in 2012 in exchange for Frisco purchasing nearly 170 acres around the site as a buffer.

Frisco officials later assumed responsibility for cleanup efforts in 2020 after Exide’s cleanup efforts stalled.

Remaining cleanup efforts primarily include cleaning up Stewart Creek, which runs through the future Grand Park. Frisco Engineering Services Director Jason Brodigan said previously that stream cleanup will take two to three years once it begins.

What’s next?

Construction crews are set to break ground on the first phase of Grand Park in April, with a ceremony planned for the week of April 13, Play Frisco Director Shannon Coates said previously.