The 61-77 Sherer Street Site (Site) is located in a mixed commercial, industrial and residential area of Rochester, Monroe County, New York.  The Site is a former bronze and aluminum foundry that ceased operations and was believed to have been abandoned within the last two years.   It 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.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The building has reportedly been repeatedly vandalized in the past.  The property is currently on the city’s tax foreclosure list.  The NYSDEC and the City of Rochester secured the building in October of this year under local authority since the owner could not be located.  It was reported that there were drums and containers of chemicals scattered throughout the building.  The labels and markings on these containers indicated waste oils, thinners, lacquers, and solvents.  It was also reported that there were piles of metal shavings and metallic powders, a pit with standing liquids, and areas of stained soils outside of the building.  Persons entering the yard and the building could be exposed to these unknown containerized chemicals and metallic powders.  The presence of flammable chemicals and extensive combustible material strewn throughout the building interior poses a potential fire threat.

Monroe County officials indicated that once abandoned, the building was initially open for a long period of time with people entering freely to remove items of value.  Since the building has been secured, and most items of obvious value have been removed, there reportedly have been fewer issues.  However, there are reports that the local fire officials have responded frequently to this street due to reports of arson and vandalization.  The Site building has multiple entry points (doors and windows) on all sides that could be entered with some effort.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

A site entry was conducted during the week of November 2, 2010 after the owner had verbally consented to EPA accessing the Site and conducting any necessary work.  The NYSDEC was present to open the locked fence gate and the door.  A hole was present in the fence that was previously repaired by the NYSDEC spill contractor. 

The OSC and RST entered the building in Level B.  Evidence of abandoned containers and piles of powders, dusts, and sand are present throughout.  The building appears to have been thoroughly ransacked.  Debris and combustible material are scattered throughout the structure.  No significant air monitoring readings (volatile organics and radiological) were identified in the ambient air within the building however, it was obvious that the solid material on the floor was easily made airborne.  Many of the containers are empty.  A few drums are also present in the outside yard.  Samples were collected for laboratory analysis from the various solid materials, some of the drums, and from standing liquid in a pit.  Hazcat testing conducted on some of the containers confirmed several flammable labels and indicated the potential presence of PCBs in some of the oils/waste oils.

The Site consists of an abandoned building with containers and drums of chemicals, and piles of powders and dusts.  Information indicates that the building has been vandalized in the past.

An entry was made into the Site building with the assistance of NYSDEC and Monroe County officials as part of a removal assessment.  Air monitoring and sampling was completed during the entry.  The door into the building and the fence gate were locked upon demobilization.  A hole in the fence was observed along the southern fence line.  The NYSDEC mobilized their spill contractor (located around the corner) on November 4, 2010 to repair the hole in the fence. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The current owner of record for the Site is RBA Realty LLC.  Rochester Bronze and Aluminum Foundry Co. operated at this location in the past.  EPA has located the property owner and obtained verbal permission to access the structure for purposes of conducting a removal assessment and any response action to mitigate the situation. 

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Not applicable.

No further activities are planned at this time as part of this initial visit.

EPA is awaiting the analytical results for the samples that were collected from the Site during the week of November 2, 2010 in order to determine whether a removal action is warranted to directly address the hazardous substances that have been abandoned at the Site.

There are no outstanding issues at this time.