Cleanup Plan Proposed for Contaminated Pearl Street Site

State declares property poses 'significant threat to public health or the environment'

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:34pm

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State environmental officials have proposed a cleanup plan for a contaminated brownfield site at 28-34 Pearl Street in Port Chester, New York, after determining the property poses a 'significant threat to public health or the environment'. The proposed remedy includes excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil, treatment of contaminated groundwater, and installation of a passive sub-slab depressurization system.

Why it matters

The contamination at the Pearl Street site, which includes volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, and PFAS, is believed to be linked to historical uses of the site, including a fueling station and auto repair operations. The cleanup plan is necessary to address the significant public health threat posed by the site and pave the way for the proposed redevelopment of the property.

The details

The proposed cleanup plan, known as a Draft Remedial Action Work Plan, calls for excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 1,100 cubic yards of contaminated soil, treatment of contaminated groundwater through monitored natural attenuation, and installation of a passive sub-slab depressurization system in a proposed building. Additional measures include importing clean backfill material, implementing health and safety and community air monitoring plans, and potentially requiring a Site Management Plan and environmental easement if unrestricted use cleanup standards are not achieved.

  • The DEC is accepting public comments on the proposed cleanup plan from March 12 through April 25, 2026.
  • The site was previously occupied by a single-story commercial building and a two-story single-family dwelling, both of which were demolished between 2022 and 2023.

The players

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state agency that proposed the cleanup plan and is overseeing the remediation of the contaminated site.

New York State Department of Health

The state agency that must concur with the final cleanup plan before it is approved.

28 Pearl Street Development LLC

The applicant that developed the proposed cleanup plan under New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program.

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What’s next

Following the public comment period, the DEC will review feedback, revise the plan as needed, and issue a final decision document. The Department of Health must concur before the cleanup plan is finalized. Once approved, the applicant may proceed with cleanup under state oversight.

The takeaway

This cleanup plan is necessary to address the significant public health threat posed by the contaminated Pearl Street site and pave the way for the proposed redevelopment of the property. The public comment period and state oversight of the remediation process are crucial to ensuring the site is properly cleaned up and made safe for future use.