Galion City Council heard the second reading of an ordinance to rezone the vacant property of the former Galion High School located at West Church and North Union Streets.

The ordinance would allow the faith-based organization, The NOAH Project, to purchase the land for the construction of "Eden Place," a 35 unit senior housing project to be built on the site. 
  
The proposed project has faced opposition from some residents concerned about a report done several years ago that found high levels of arsenic in the soil that exceeds that allowed for residential use.

"One of the reasons we chose the site was because of the location. It offers a lot of opportunities for the residents and senior citizens to enjoy the downtown area," Su Rowles, executive director of The NOAH Project said.

Galion City Schools still owns the property and says it hired a private company to conduct soil studies. District officials said the study found traces of arsenic in the soil samples but they were not at dangerous levels.
 

WMFD was informed that The Viticoe Law Group of Los Angeles has contacted about the issue regarding the proposed project. The law group is where environmental activist Erin Brockovich works.