The City of Bristol, VA, held a meeting on June 25, 2025, where discussions centered on potential development near a radio tower and concerns regarding a former city landfill.

During the meeting, a representative noted that the owner of the radio tower is supportive of additional development in the area, believing it could help mitigate issues of trespassing and vandalism on his property. Scottie Bales, an adjoining property owner, also expressed interest but sought more information about the proposed developments.

A significant topic of discussion was the potential identification of a former city landfill. The representative indicated ongoing investigations to verify whether the site was an official landfill. They have reached out to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which reported no records of a landfill, particularly from the 1940s or 1950s.

To address environmental concerns, the city has access to an EPA brownfields assessment grant, which is fully funded by the federal government. This grant allows for phase 1 and phase 2 environmental assessments, including visual inspections and soil sampling, to determine any contamination levels on the property. The city plans to gather more input from neighboring property owners before proceeding with the assessments.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue investigating the landfill issue and to provide resources for environmental assessments, ensuring that any development in the area is safe and informed by thorough evaluations.