EPA officials examine former plating factory

FLORENCE - Workers in yellow hazmat suits assessed old barrels of chemicals and secured a worn-down building Wednesday as part of the EPA's bid to assess and eventually clean up what used to be a chrome plating factory in east Florence.

"We're trying to mitigate any releases into the environment and clean up the waste that was left here," said Jordan Jarrard, on-scene coordinator for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Richards Metal Plating on Royal Avenue was originally slated as top priority for environmental assessment when the city was awarded $400,000 in EPA grant funds in April.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management did an initial assessment of the building and site and found plating waste that is "extremely expensive to dispose of," said Larry Norris, chief of redevelopment for ADEM.

EPA's emergency removal and stabilization will get rid of any immediate environmental threats, Norris said.

"We have limited financial capability when it comes to dealing with that much waste," Norris said of disposal that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"People may go 'EPA - that's scary,' " said Melissa Bailey, city planner.

She said, however, that EPA's assessment and proposed clean-up of the site may allow the city to use the $400,000 to assess other sites, such as the nearby depot and foundry, high on the city's list for environmental assessment. In 2007, the city rezoned the Sweetwater Arts and Entertainment district and has eyed the electroplating site as a potential parking spot for the district.

All three sites are brownfields, places that have environmental pollution or even the perception of pollution.

EPA officials plan to wrap up their visit today. So far, the workers in the yellow hazmat suits have collected containers and drums and done preliminary work on identifying chemicals, Jarrard said.

The workers will collect soil samples to determine what chemicals if any have leeched into the ground.

Workers fixed a hole in the back part of the roof and secured the building against trespassers and exposure to the outside environment, Jarrad said.

EPA officials will return at an unknown date to remove the chemicals from the building and begin cleaning up the rest of the site.

"Currently, it is safe right now; people don't need to be worried about being exposed," Jarrad said. "That's what we're here for."

Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@TimesDaily.com.