Developer plans to remediate Inspiration Wharf, where more than 60 toxins were found
Inspiration Wharf in Port Washington, earlier this month. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
The developer behind a mixed-use project in Port Washington plans to remediate the property, where more than 60 contaminants were found in the soil, groundwater and soil vapor.
Manhasset Bay Real Estate LLC purchased Inspiration Wharf, a mini-business district overlooking Manhasset Bay, last year. The North Hempstead Town Board recently approved plans to build 38 units of housing, as well as some restaurant and commercial space, on the 2.78-acre property.
The company is operated by the father-son duo of Gennaro and Gianni Sbarro, the family formerly behind the global restaurant chain.
Some residents have expressed concern that the town's environmental review was lacking. The property includes a handful of waterfront stores that lead to the water, including Sweet Treats on the Wharf, a popular ice cream shop.
The site in the past had been occupied by a coal yard, laundromat and a boatyard, according to an application the developers filed with the state Department of Environmental Conservation's Brownfield Cleanup Program. Participants in the program must "investigate and clean up" properties under development to qualify for tax incentives, according to the DEC's website.
The property has been accepted into the program, according to a DEC spokesperson.
The 63 toxins found in the site include chrysene, lead, acetone and more, according to the developer's application. Semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, pesticides, and PCBs were found "at concentrations above" the unrestricted use soil cleanup objective threshold, the state's highest level of cleanup.
DEC overseeing cleanup
The DEC "continues to oversee the comprehensive investigation and cleanup," a spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday, adding that the investigation work on the project is expected to start by summer's end. After that, a proposed cleanup plan will be devised and shared with the public.
North Hempstead's planning department found that the plan would not "result in any significant adverse impact on the environment." In making that determination, the town waived a more extensive environmental review.
"The proposed action will not create a hazard to human health," a town document stated. The board voted 7-0 to approve the site plan, and grant the Sbarros a special use permit after midnight on July 15, following a hearing that stretched nearly five hours.
Ben Chandler, 38, of Port Washington, said in an interview that the town's characterization was "contradictory" given the presence of the contaminants.
"It seems pretty incomprehensible that you could say there's going to be no environmental impact, but oh, by the way, all of this stuff has to be done in order to remediate the environmental issues that exist," Chandler said.
Challenge brewing
Chandler launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds to hire an attorney to challenge the town's decision.
"These are serious chemicals that could get into the air, could get into the bay," he said.
The GoFundMe had raised more than $29,000 by Thursday afternoon.
Town spokesman Umberto Mignardi said in a statement that North Hempstead "conducted a thorough environmental review in full compliance with the requirements" of the state's Environmental Quality Review Act.
"Our Department of Planning and Environmental Protection evaluated the Expanded Environmental Assessment Form, technical reports, plans, and other supporting materials submitted by the applicant, coordinated with all involved agencies that have jurisdiction, and considered comments received during the review process before making its environmental determination," Mignardi said.
The Sbarros did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Residents have complained that the planned development could lead to a lack of public waterfront access. A town resolution requires the developer to build a public "promenade" that's open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
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