EPA Mid-Atlantic Region | Brownfields Program | Success Story O A Successful Transformation: Slate Belt YMCA Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania Site Description Since the iate 1800 s the site was used as a railway maintenance facility known as the "old shops." The property historically was a rail shop yard that housed several support buildings and structures including coal yard and pits, a paint house, oil house, bare ground maintenance facility, welding flues, and a weigh station. The old shops are nestled between primarily residential and small commercial properties in the shadow of Blue Mountain. The building that formerly housed the maintenance building is approximately 30,000 square feet and houses the new Slate Belt YMCA. Environmental Issues Addressed A detailed risk assessment paid for by EPA was conducted which identified the need for the re- moval of hot spot contaminated soil (predominantly metals) and the implementation of Engineering Controls (ECs) to manage remaining contamination. The ECs included an active and passive soil vapor system and the implementation of impervious surfaces as part of the re- development of the property. Specifically, soccer fields to cap low level arsenic impacted soil with a liner system separating contaminated soil from clean. A soil management plan also implemented to handle contaminated soil during future construction phases. The site was cleaned up under the oversight of the Pennsylvania Department od Environmental Protection. Resources Used Lehigh Valley Land Recycling, using funds from a 2010 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, spent $51,036 to facilitate Phase I and II environmental site assessments, and cleanup planning. Additionally, in 2012, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) requested EPA to conduct a Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) to continue assessment work at the site. The TBA was completed in 2013. Asian Ideas J St Elizabelh's Rectory 0 (512) of State Belt YMCA (US American Legion Giordano's T1 EPA Grant Recipient: LVEDC Year Awarded: 2010 & 2012 Grant Types: Assessment & TBA Former Uses: Steel Fabrication Present Uses: Youth Development, Healthy Living & Social Responsibility programs ------- EPA Mid-Atlantic Region | Brownfields Program | Success Story Behind the Transformation Present Use Features SLATE YMCA Community Benefit ~ 1,100 new members, ~ 3 full-time new jobs ~ 30 part-time jobs ~ a full program of community engage- ment programs. Contact For Further Information: Michael Taurino, TBA Coordinator US EPA, Region 3 Brownfields Taurino.Michael@epa.gov 215-814-3371 ------- |