Auto Repair Shop An Environmental Concern?

[Ibrahim Hughes]

hi everyone. I'm hoping that someone has some experience in this Arena. our nonprofit organization is currently purchasing an old storefront Church from the city to eventually use as a community center. And although the city's historical legal usage records says that the property was used as a church for the last 45 years, The Phase 1 environmental company has come across maps that show that for a 20-30 year., the property was used as an auto repair shop. The problem is that there is now currently a wooden platform over the entire floor where Carz where allegedly worked on. While we're still under contract the environmental company wants us to pull up the boards so that they can inspect the concrete floor underneath. We're not even sure if the city is going to allow us to do this. Does anyone have any experience with purchasing a commercial property that was previously used as an auto repair shop? Just trying to see the likelihood of it being some environmental problems associated with the property.