The subject properties (two parcels adjacent to the 10th and Osage lightrail station) were acquired by the City from the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The properties were historically associated with the adjacent railroad operations and were found to be contaminated primarily with polyaromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs. After acquisition, additional site characterization was conducted under the environmental assessment grant to further define the extent of contamination prior to cleanup.
In the summer of 2008, cleanup activities were conducted after the conclusion of the addition environmental assessment and were substantially funded through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cleanup grant (OED 10th & Osage link). In December 2008, a No Action Determination request letter was approved by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The property was sold to the Denver Housing Authority (DHA), a quasi-governmental public housing agency, for the first phase of their redevelopment of the South Lincoln Homes project. DHA began construction of a 105-unit senior housing facility on the northern parcel (1099 Osage), in November 2010.