Zebulon closed a public park after lead contamination was found—raising broader concerns about development on former landfill sites.

May 14, 2026 | News

What happened:
• Gill Street Park built on a historic landfill
• Soil testing revealed lead above state standards
• One of 30+ similar sites in Wake County

CRE takeaway:
• Environmental due diligence is critical—especially on older sites
• Legacy land use can create unexpected liability and remediation costs
• Limited regulatory communication increases risk for owners and municipalities

Bottom line: what’s underground can materially impact value, safety, and long-term feasibility.

https://www.wral.com/news/local/zebulon-asks-better-communication-ncdeq-lead-gill-street-park-april-2026

Dylan Cunningham

J Dylan Cunningham, CCIM is the founder of Oak Street Commercial Real Estate, LLC, a firm located in Apex, NC on a mission to help business owners and commercial real estate owners create long-term strategies that align with their objectives through real estate.

We believe in going beyond the transaction, taking a deep look at where you want to be in five, ten or even twenty years from now—and how we can help you get there with thoughtful, strategic decisions today.