Olean Redevelopment Site
Demolition Activities to Begin at Olean Redevelopment Parcels 1, 2, and 3
Fact Sheet - June 2010
Site Numbers C905031, C905032, C905033
Introduction
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is pleased to inform you about demolition activities scheduled to begin soon at the Olean Redevelopment Parcels 1, 2 and 3 Site located at 1404-1406, 1406R, 1420, and 1470 Buffalo Street. The demolition work expected to begin in June 2010 will be performed by ExxonMobil Corporation as a participant in New York State's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP). The BCP provides incentives to private companies and current or potential site owners to clean up and redevelop brownfields. Brownfields are typically former industrial properties that have been impacted by contamination.
This fact sheet is being sent to explain the upcoming demolition work, provide the current status of the environmental site investigation activities, and explain how you can obtain more information.
Highlights of the Upcoming Demolition Activities
For the past year, ExxonMobil has been working with the City of Olean to prepare the site for demolition. A professional consultant - ARCADIS - was hired by ExxonMobil to prepare the project design and serve as construction manager overseeing the project. The asbestos abatement contractor (Terra Abatement Services) and the demolition contractor (Sabre Demolition Corporation) will mobilize the site in June 2010 to begin asbestos abatement and demolition activities, which are expected to last through September 2010. The scope of work encompasses the demolition of nine buildings on the three parcels.
Site Investigation Status
After preliminary findings from an environmental investigation conducted in 2008 were provided to NYSDEC, a supplemental investigation was initiated in 2009 and is currently ongoing. Recent field activities include the assessment of abandoned subsurface piping as potential sources of contamination. Interim corrective measures (cleanup actions that can be taken relatively quickly without extensive investigation) to address soil impacts from metals and to remove subsurface tanks are expected to be completed this June. A ground water monitoring program is also planned to commence in 2010.
Next Steps
The site demolition and investigation activities are anticipated to be substantially completed in 2010. Following completion of the remedial investigation, ExxonMobil will prepare a report that details the investigation findings and evaluates remedial alternatives. Full remediation of the sites is expected to begin in 2011. The NYSDEC will continue to update you about significant project milestones through fact sheets similar to this one.
Site Background
The site, approximately 58 acres in size, is located on the northeast side of Buffalo Street in an industrially zoned area of the City of Olean, Cattaraugus County. The site currently contains several vacant buildings, as well as numerous remnants of foundations from former industrial facilities. Past investigations by environmental consultants revealed soil and ground water contamination at the site consistent with oil refinery operations and chemical production.
Beginning in the late 19th Century, various oil refineries used the site and adjacent properties for oil refining, storage and distribution operations until 1954. Agway, Inc. purchased the site in 1966 to manufacture fertilizer until 1983. The property has been under-utilized since that time. Several small businesses leased buildings on site between 1983 and 2007. The leases terminated in 2007 and ExxonMobil purchased the site. ExxonMobil submitted applications for the BCP, and Agreements were signed in 2009 for the three parcels comprising the site.
Who Should I Call If I Have Questions About the Site?
Questions regarding the demolition activities and investigation of this site are welcome. Should you have any questions, please contact the following representative:
Environmental Questions:
Chad Staniszewski, P.E.
NYSDEC - Region 9
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 851-7220
Health Questions:
Cameron O'Connor
New York State Department of Health
584 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14202
(716) 847-4385
Locations to View Project Documents
A document repository has been established to provide you with access to project information. Documents are available at:
Olean Public Library
134 North 2nd Street
Olean, New York 14760
NYSDEC Region 9 Office
270 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14203
You may also view electronic versions of project documents by clicking the document links in the right column. Large documents may be abbreviated to meet DEC's file size requirements for posting to the website. Hard copies of full project documents are available at the listed locations.
