The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the successful completion of a multi-year cleanup at the former Geneva Foundry site, removing decades of hazardous contamination from downtown Geneva and nearby properties. The effort, which involved the excavation and disposal of 94,000 tons of contaminated soil, was part of New York’s Superfund and Brownfield Cleanup programs.
Interim DEC Commissioner Sean Mahar praised the cleanup, noting its importance to environmental justice in a community historically burdened by pollution. “This project not only meets New York’s stringent environmental standards but also demonstrates the impact of coordinated action to protect the health of residents,” Mahar said.
The cleanup spanned 244 properties surrounding the former foundry, where lead and arsenic contamination had been spread by the facility’s furnaces during its years of operation. The project, funded through the state’s Superfund program, removed contaminated soil from residential yards, churches, businesses, and public spaces, including Genesee Park. In total, more than 48 acres of land were remediated, ensuring a safer environment for residents.
DEC officials worked closely with the community throughout the $36 million project, which began in 2017. During the process, more than 15,000 soil samples were tested to identify areas requiring decontamination. Cleanup activities concluded in July of this year.
The foundry, which once burned coal and coke, left a legacy of heavy metal pollution in the soil surrounding the facility. The site’s primary contaminants, lead and arsenic, posed significant health risks, particularly for the disadvantaged neighborhoods affected. The city of Geneva, which is recognized as a New York State-designated disadvantaged community and environmental justice area, faced disproportionate environmental impacts from the former industrial site.
Geneva City Manager Amie Hendrix expressed gratitude to all involved in the project, including DEC, Labella Associates, and WSP, for their dedication in addressing the contamination. “Through this collaborative effort, we can ensure that both current and future residents of the city have the opportunity to enjoy a community free from pollution and contamination,” Hendrix said.
The cleanup also included improvements to Genesee Park, with new sidewalks, seating areas, and a community stage added during the restoration. Mature trees were preserved whenever possible, and invasive species were removed. The project emphasized the use of native plants and incorporated green remediation practices to reduce the environmental impact of the cleanup itself.
The former Geneva Foundry site was previously cleaned under the Brownfield Cleanup Program in 2018, during which contaminated soil at the site was removed and replaced with a two-foot-thick clean soil cover. Asphalt was used to cap a smaller portion of the site.
This extensive cleanup effort marks another success for New York’s Superfund and Brownfield Cleanup programs, which aim to remediate hazardous waste sites and protect public health. The DEC has overseen the cleanup of more than 2,000 sites statewide since the 1980s, helping to address the toxic legacy left by industrial activities.
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