Environmental Investigation and Cleanup at Market Creek Plaza (2024 - current)

Over the past two years, Market Creek Plaza LLC (MCP) has been investigating and cleaning up contamination at the shopping center. All work is reviewed and approved by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

The main concern at the site is “vapor intrusion.” Vapor intrusion occurs when chemicals in the ground turn into gas (called soil vapor) and move upward through the soil and into indoor air through penetrations or cracks in building foundations.

Food 4 Less - Indoor Air

  • June 2024: Testing showed levels of TCE in indoor air within the grocery store that required immediate action.

  • Response: MCP installed air treatment units, sealed cracks in the floor, and upgraded the HVAC system to improve airflow and circulation and reduce vapor concentrations.

  • Results: Quarterly indoor air testing shows a 40-80% reduction in TCE levels, but some areas still have elevated readings.

  • Ongoing work: MCP is designing a system to be installed underneath the Food 4 Less building that will prevent TCE vapors from entering indoor air. We anticipate the system will be running at full capacity in mid-to-late 2026. MCP also continues to monitor indoor air at the Food 4 Less building.

Picture of an indoor air sampling canister.

Soil Vapor and Indoor Air - Shopping Center

  • December 2024 & June 2025: Soil and soil vapor tests showed a likely source of TCE below ground near the Food 4 Less building, and elevated vapor levels on the north, south, and east sides of the property.

  • March/September 2025: Indoor air in all other occupied suites was tested and showed no air quality issues caused by TCE impacts from below ground.

Workers collecting soil vapor samples for analysis.

Off-site Environmental Investigations (2026 - current)

Recent testing found elevated levels of VOCs in soil vapor at the Euclid Terrace Apartments. DTSC is working with the property owner and Magellan (the company responsible for the original contamination) to address these off-site conditions.