Market Creek Plaza LLC (MCP), with its environmental consultant, is investigating and cleaning up contamination at the shopping center. All work is reviewed and approved by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
Environmental Work
Food 4 Less - Indoor Air
June 2024: Testing showed levels of TCE in 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.
Results: Follow-up testing shows a 40-80% reduction in TCE levels, but some areas still have elevated readings.
Ongoing work: Monthly maintenance of air treatment units, sealing of new cracks, and regular HVAC filter replacements.
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 source of TCE near the Food 4 Less building, and elevated vapor levels on the north, south, and east sides of the property.
TCE vapors can sometimes move from the soil into buildings through cracks in the foundation - a process called vapor intrusion.
March 2025: Indoor air in all other occupied suites was tested and showed no air quality issues. These suites will be retested in fall 2025 to confirm results.
Workers collecting soil vapor samples for analysis.
Permanent Cleanup of TCE
Summer 2025: Field tests confirmed that two technologies can remove TCE from soil beneath Food 4 Less.
MCP is now designing full-scale systems, expected to begin operating in early 2026.
This summer’s field work identified two effective methods to permanently remove TCE from soil.
Off-site Investigations
MCP will also study areas southeast of the shopping center to see if TCE has moved beyond the property.
This work will include soil vapor sampling and is expected to begin by January 2026.