The 61-77 Sherer Street Site (Site) is a former bronze and aluminum foundry that ceased operations and was believed to have been abandoned within the last two years. The Site was active as a foundry for approximately 40 years and is located in a mixed commercial, industrial and residential area of Rochester, Monroe County, New York. The Site consists of an abandoned building with a fenced yard along its southern side. The building is a one-story brick and cinder block structure covering approximately 23,000 square feet. The yard contains several rusted, dilapidated sheds; several abandoned drums; a dust collection device connected to air exhaust vents on the roof; and a residential structure formerly used by the company. The ground surface in the yard is mostly covered with stone. County tax maps indicate that three vacant lots on the north side of the building are part of the Site. In total, the property associated with the Site occupies 1.5 acres.
The Site is bordered in all directions by commercial and industrial facilities, except to the southwest, where a residential neighborhood begins. The closest residence is directly adjacent to the southwest corner of the Site. Residential neighborhoods are also present approximately 625 feet east of the Site, just past a freight rail line, and within 200 feet west of the Site.
Because of reports of vandalism at the Site as well as observation of abandoned drums and a large volume of waste foundry sand observed at the Site, NYSDEC and the City of Rochester requested that EPA evaluate the Site for removal action eligibility.
A Removal Site Evaluation (RSE) was initiated in November 2010. Based on the finding of the RSE, verbal authorization to initiate a removal action at the Site was obtained from the Deputy Division Director on March 14, 2011.
