Soil Cleanup to Start at Binghamton Ansco Loft Site

Contaminated soil is to be removed soon from properties associated with a $20 million loft apartment project on the Binghamton's West Side.

State environmental officials have announced that "expedited cleanup activities" at 9 and 16 Emma Street are expected to start in April or May.

A former Ansco camera factory building is on the east side of Emma Street and a parking lot is located on the other side of the street.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 90 cubic yards of soil contaminated with metals - primarily lead - will be removed from 9 Emma Street. 275 cubic yards of soil contaminated with trichloroethene will be excavated from 16 Emma Street.

After the tainted soil is hauled away, "clean backfill material" will be brought to the site.

Paulus Development of Syracuse is converting the former cigar and camera factory into a residential and commercial project.

The upcoming site cleanup is to be performed by the developer with oversight from the state environmental agency.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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