Brockport calls temporary
halt to visitor center construction

Work had been halted indefinitely at the site of Brockport's canal side museum and visitor center when tests indicated that excavated soil might be contaminated with petroleum. Vapors were found in soil that had been removed and taken to the Brockport landfill. Department of Environmental Conservation officials are testing the soil for possible contaminants.

Village of Brockport Mayor Josephine Matela called a stop to the excavation when Department of Environmental Conservation officials indicated that some of the soil might contain petroleum. "We hope to hear back from the DEC soon with the results of the soil tests and we have been cooperating with the DEC during this period," the mayor said.

DEC officials said they could not comment because the matter was still being investigated.

The site, a former bean plant and parking lot, had previously been examined and approved by the DEC and the Monroe County Health Department to ensure that it was suitable for the center, Matela said. "Although no petroleum containing soils had been found under the footprint of the proposed building, both a vapor barrier and a soil vapor extraction system had been incorporated into the building design as a protection."

However, revised plans for the location of the building at the site required a deeper excavation for the building's foundation at a different location than originally planned. "Upon investigation, petroleum vapors were found at these deeper levels," Matela said. "The DEC and the Health Department have provided significant input and assistance to the village to resolve these project issues."

The village expects to resume construction as soon as necessary design changes are completed and accepted by these agencies, she said. "This is just a bump in the road toward the center's construction," Matela said.

Brockport's plans for the proposed visitor's center, which has received board approval, called for a building that would house laundry and shower facilities, an information center and a museum. The museum and visitor center will be located on the south side of the canal between Main and Park Streets.