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Demolition underway of homes near Escambia Wood Treating Superfund site in Pensacola, Florida

Release Date: 12/16/2003
Contact Information: Laura Niles, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-8353

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that the demolition of 45 vacant homes near the Escambia Wood Treating Superfund site in Pensacola, Florida has begun. The demolition is a result of a National Relocation Evaluation Pilot, which resulted in the relocation of approximately 361 households near the site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is overseeing the demolition on behalf of EPA. The homes will be demolished at a rate of two per day, possibly increasing to four per day following evaluation of the demolition process. The removal of the remaining 116 residential structures and a 200-unit apartment complex is planned as part of a Phase Two demolition project to be conducted at a later date. The Escambia Wood Treating site is located at 3910 North Palafox Street. The 26-acre site is an abandoned wood preserving facility that operated from 1942 until closing in 1982. The Escambia Wood Treating Company discharged spent creosote and PCP-laden waste into unlined holding ponds at the site during operation before the facility closed in 1982. In October 1991, EPA began a removal action to excavate contaminated materials. The excavated material is currently stockpiled under secure cover on-site. NOTE: Representatives of the media interested in visiting the site may go to the site on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Contact the Health and Safety Coordinator at the site upon arrival. -0- December 16, 2003