SHARE

Greenburgh Site's Environmental Cleanup To Take Months

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Representatives from Woodard and Curran, the environmental service agency hired to look into issues at the former Frank's Nursery site on Dobbs Ferry Road, said it could be months before Game On 365 is able to begin construction of a sports complex at the location.

From left, Woodard and Curran representatives Anthony C. Catalano and Aaron Townsley present their environmental fieldwork of the Frank's Nursery site to the Greenburgh Town Board.

From left, Woodard and Curran representatives Anthony C. Catalano and Aaron Townsley present their environmental fieldwork of the Frank's Nursery site to the Greenburgh Town Board.

Photo Credit: Samantha Kramer

Several contaminants have already been found on the site, which will prompt the team to collect additional soil and groundwater samples from the abandoned nursery, said Anthony C. Catalano, Woodard and Curran's senior vice president.

Their fieldwork, which they said found a fuel oil spill and semi-volatile organic compounds that could contain carcinogens, will weigh into Woodard and Curran's presentation of their findings to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

After consulting with the DEC, the company will begin its remediation efforts, Catalano said.

"The DEC will look at corrective action in coordination with future plans," Catalano said at a Greenburgh Town Board work session Tuesday morning. "That's the approach we're looking to take here - looking to get enough information so we can formulate smart solutions."

Catalano said they expect to finish their additional collection of samples by February, but that it could take at least four months before the DEC decides how it wants to proceed with the site. Nevertheless, he assured the Town Board that the steps they were taking to make the site usable for a sports complex were necessary.

"You're doing exactly what should be done," he said.

No cost estimations were offered by the company, however, and the Town Board may also have to look into conducting a separate air-monitoring study. The Woodard and Curran team has so far only investigated ground contaminants, Catalano said.

According to their lease with the town, Game On must pay up to $125,000 that will apply to site investigation and remediation efforts. This money will be reimbursed to Game On in the form of rent credits, according to the lease. If remediation expenses exceed $400,000, Game On can opt out of the lease.

Game On Project Manager Martin Hewitt attended the meeting and said he was a little concerned that a number still hasn't been set for total cleanup costs. But Hewitt said he's confident Woodard and Curran will work with the town to ready the property for the planned Westchester Field House.

"Woodard and Curran have a stellar reputation," Hewitt said. "I have full faith they'll do the right job."

Catalano added that the property is designated as a Brownfield site, which may make it eligible for reimbursements from the Environmental Restoration Program. Under the program, the state could reimburse the town for up to 90 percent of on-site costs.

 

to follow Daily Voice Greenburgh and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE