A project to clean up the contaminated area at the Kershaw Park beach is expected to begin in late September, said City Manager Kay James.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is taking the lead on the project, and the city will be working cooperatively with the contractor — National Vacuum Corp. — on the cleanup, James said in a recent report.
The beach closed in mid-July after a “black goo” substance was discovered in the area. City officials announced July 26 that the beach would close for the season.
Currently, the city’s parks and recreation department is building a temporary construction driveway from the parking lot to the beach area to help crews transport equipment to the cleanup area. The city is also removing fencing from around the beach area to provide better access for construction vehicles.
In a statement, James said, “It is our understanding that the DEC will pay for the cost of cleaning up the areas that are considered to be contaminated, and the city will be responsible for the cost of cleaning up the areas that are just construction and demolition debris.”
Payment from the city’s end would most likely come from the Kershaw Park reserve fund, said Assistant Manager Bryan White. The Kershaw reserve has around $90,000 in it. White added that there is no current estimate of the cost since the contractor is still determining the scope of work for the project.
The cleanup plans will also need to be submitted to the New York State Department of Health for their approval, James said.
The city is targeting Memorial Day 2013 as the date when the beach would reopen to the public.
A project to clean up the contaminated area at the Kershaw Park beach is expected to begin in late September, said City Manager Kay James.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is taking the lead on the project, and the city will be working cooperatively with the contractor — National Vacuum Corp. — on the cleanup, James said in a recent report.
The beach closed in mid-July after a “black goo” substance was discovered in the area. City officials announced July 26 that the beach would close for the season.
Currently, the city’s parks and recreation department is building a temporary construction driveway from the parking lot to the beach area to help crews transport equipment to the cleanup area. The city is also removing fencing from around the beach area to provide better access for construction vehicles.
In a statement, James said, “It is our understanding that the DEC will pay for the cost of cleaning up the areas that are considered to be contaminated, and the city will be responsible for the cost of cleaning up the areas that are just construction and demolition debris.”
Payment from the city’s end would most likely come from the Kershaw Park reserve fund, said Assistant Manager Bryan White. The Kershaw reserve has around $90,000 in it. White added that there is no current estimate of the cost since the contractor is still determining the scope of work for the project.
The cleanup plans will also need to be submitted to the New York State Department of Health for their approval, James said.
The city is targeting Memorial Day 2013 as the date when the beach would reopen to the public.
