CLEVELAND — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting residents of Cleveland’s Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood to a public meeting tonight on its cleanup of hazardous substances inside a warehouse at 3101 E. 55th St.
The meeting runs 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Elizabeth Baptist Church gymnasium, 6114 Francis Ave. Agency officials will discuss the work and answer questions from community members about what crews found and what comes next.
The EPA began removing abandoned drums and containers from the 3.29-acre site on Sept. 29 and expects to finish the cleanup by early 2027. Sampling inside the four-story warehouse confirmed flammable, toxic and corrosive wastes, along with friable asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls. Crews also documented evidence of spills, trespassing and vandalism.
The building dates to the mid-1920s, when it was constructed as a commercial bakery and warehouse. After 1960 it was used mainly for storage under various owners; the current owner, Bessemer 55 LLC, bought the property in 2019.
The case began in September 2025, when Ohio EPA and the City of Cleveland inspected the site after complaints from neighbors. Inspectors found numerous abandoned containers carrying hazardous-substance labels, prompting the referral to the federal agency.
Residents near the warehouse may notice more vehicle traffic and cleanup workers in protective gear during the removal. The EPA said it is monitoring the area to protect air quality and is coordinating the response with the city, Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health.
