Recap: 2.15.24 NuHart Community Meeting

On February 15, 2024 North Brooklyn Neighbors hosted a community meeting and were joined by the offices of Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Lincoln Restler, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, as well as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and Madison Realty Capital (MRC).

First, we introduced a researcher from NYU who will be working with community members to investigate health concerns of longtime residents of several blocks surrounding the NuHart area (~1:30). This research grew out of conversations with North Brooklyn Neighbors, community members, and NYU in response to concerns raised at previous meetings. More updates and opportunities for community members to participate will be available in the coming weeks and months.

After introductions by elected officials, DEC made a presentation (~9:00). The major development is that excavation at the site has gone as deep as the current setup of the site will allow and there is still contamination of phthalates an estimated 4-5 feet below what has already been excavated. Along with the MRC, DEC is proposing to allow a procedure called “In-Situ Solidification” or “ISS” which essentially mixes contaminated soil with concrete. Trials of this new technology is already underway. The original decision had called for removal of all of the contaminants which the DEC has now deemed not feasible. Because of this change, there has to be an amendment to the Record of Decision which will trigger a 30-day public comment period and a formal meeting during that time. This public comment period is likely to occur in March/April 2024.

MRC’s presentation (~21:00) stated that they are hoping for occupancy on the building in the eastern portion of the site in about a year. The presentation also detailed that if pilot trials continue to go well, work will continue before the end of the public comment period and formal approval by the DEC.

The Q&A portion of the meeting began (~25:00) and continues for the remainder of the meeting.

A full recording of the meeting can be found below.

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Please reach out to any/all of the contacts below if you have specific concerns. Video and photo documentation is always helpful:

Council Member Lincoln Restler
Lincoln Restler – district33@council.nyc.gov
Kelly McCabe – KMcCabe@council.nyc.gov
Sign up for the mailing list: www.lincolnrestler.nyc

Assembly Member Emily Gallagher
Emily Gallagher- gallaghere@nyassembly.gov
Andrew Epstein – epsteina@nyassembly.gov
Sign up for the mailing list: nyassembly.gov/mem/Emily-Gallagher/enews/

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez
Kristen Gonzalez- gonzalez@nysenate.gov
Shawna Morlock –  smorlock@nysenate.gov
Website: https://gonzalez.nysenate.gov/

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez
Daniel Wiley – Daniel.Wiley@mail.house.gov

Madison Realty Capital 
Zach Kadden, Shalom Silverman & Victoria della Salla – dupont@madisonrealtycapital.com
James Bellew –jbellew@haleyaldrich.com
Ashley Thompson – ashley@capalino.com
Weekly site activity notification emails: bit.ly/3GQWzFt

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 
Jane O’Connell – jane.oconnell@dec.ny.gov
Rodney Rivera – rodney.rivera@dec.ny.gov

Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation
Zach Schreiber – zschreiber@dep.nyc.gov

New York State Department of Health
Stephen Lawrence – stephen.lawrence@health.ny.gov
Scarlett Messier-McLaughlin – scarlett.mcLaughlin@health.ny.gov
Angela Martin – angela.martin@health.ny.gov
State Health Department’s Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation – BEEI@health.ny.gov

North Brooklyn Neighbors
Lael Goodman – lael@northbrooklynneighbors.org
Sign up for the mailing list: northbrooklynneighbors.org