U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is removing hazardous substances from a warehouse at 3101 E. 55th St. in Cleveland,
Ohio. The cleanup, which includes disposing of abandoned drums and containers,
is expected to be completed by early 2027.
EPA will conduct monitoring during the cleanup
to ensure activities do not affect air quality in the neighborhood. Residents
may notice increased vehicle activity in the area and workers wearing
protective gear required to handle hazardous substances. EPA is coordinating
with the city, Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health.
On October 6, 2026 U.S. EPA held a public meeting at Elizabeth Baptist Church on Francis Avenue and provided a presentation (pdf) regarding the cleanup project and answered questions from community members. EPA invites community members to talk one-on-one with EPA personnel about the cleanup through 20-minute community interviews. The interviews are being held at the Elizabeth Baptist Church gymnasium, 6114 Francis Ave., Cleveland on Wednesday, October 21 from 1-7 pm, and on Thursday, October 22 from 9 am- 7 pm. These interviews are an opportunity for residents to ask questions or share concerns and help EPA to better understand the community. EPA will also use the feedback from the interviews to write a Community Involvement Plan for the site.
To schedule an interview email Community Involvement Coordinator Adrian Palomeque at palomeque.adrian@epa.gov or 440-250-1715. In addition to in-person interviews, people are also able to schedule a virtual community interview on October 21 and 22 if needed. The earlier the interview request is made, the higher the likelihood people may find a time slot convenient to them.
Background:
The 3.29-acre site contains a four-story
warehouse originally built as a commercial bakery and warehouse in the mid-1920s.
After 1960, the building was mainly used for storage under various owners. The
current owner, Bessemer 55 LLC, purchased the site in 2019.
Ohio EPA and the City of Cleveland inspected the
site in September 2025, responding to complaints from residents. After
discovering numerous abandoned containers with hazardous-substance labels in
the building, Ohio EPA referred the site to EPA.
EPA collected samples from containers, surfaces,
and debris inside the building which confirmed flammable, toxic, and corrosive
wastes, as well as friable asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls. EPA also
documented evidence of spills, trespassing, and vandalism.
