By Sarina Trangle
A developer has submitted plans to construct a seven-story, 90-unit residential building on top of a brownfield site in Ridgewood.
Just before the new year, Essex Capital Partners Ltd., a Manhattan-based national real estate firm, submitted paperwork to demolish a shuttered post office and two one-story commercial buildings, at 16-14 through 16-32 Madison St., and build a 63,395-square-foot apartment building in their place. The developer plans to include 46 parking spots, according to city Department of Building filings.
Essex Capital did not return a call for comment.
The company, through a limited liability corporation called 1614 Madison Partners, purchased 16-14 through 16-32 Madison St. for $4.7 million in August.
That same month, 1614 Madison Partners inked a Brownfield Cleanup Program agreement with the state Environmental Department of Conservation. Under the cleanup initiative, the state attempts to spur owners of contaminated property to redevelop the sites by offering them tax benefits to remediate the pollution.
The developer’s two-lot purchase once housed the Philru Knitting Mill and contains concentrations of a toxic chemical often used to dry clean fabrics and de-grease metals that exceed state guidelines, according to paperwork 1614 Madison Partners filed with the DEC.
The DEC received a draft investigation work plan for the site and invited the public to share feedback through Jan. 10 on how the LLC proposes to examine the site’s contamination.
After adjusting the investigation plan, if necessary, 1614 Madison Partners will use the results of environmental tests to compile a report and draft a proposed cleanup plan. The public may view and comment on the proposal before the state decides whether to sign off on it.
Preliminary tests found concentrations of tetrachloroethene — commonly known as PCE — above state limits in shallow soil, soil vapor and groundwater, according to the draft investigation work plan.
The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry has determined that exposure to high concentrations of PCE can cause dizziness, headaches, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty speaking or walking, unconsciousness and death, according to the agency. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has concluded that PCE “may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen” because it has caused liver and kidney tumors in rodents.
The mostly vacant brownfield site has supported decades of commercial enterprise. After functioning as a post office, 16-14 Madison St. became a factory and stockroom for the Philru Knitting Mill, according to the draft investigation work plan. In 1957, the company expanded through 16-32 Madison St., which remained a knitting mill until 2006.
Both lots also housed car shops.
But it is unclear whether converting the strip to a residence would sit well with the community.
Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano said a seven-story apartment building would be a “very, very substantial” development for Ridgewood.
“The overwhelming majority of buildings, even over there, are three stories or less,” he said.
Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Ridgewood) did not return a request for comment.
Applications filed with the city Department of Buildings indicate the project complies with local zoning.
The DOB has not yet accepted or rejected 1614 Madison Partners’ plans.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
