Demolition of contaminated housing complex in East Chicago begins

Demolition crews in East Chicago began tearing down a contaminated housing complex April 2, a report by the Chicago Tribune says. Amereco Engineering, Valparaiso, Indiana, is handling the demolition of the West Calumet Housing Complex, which contained arsenic and lead.

Crews are watching safety devices to see that no contaminated material leave the site and water cannons are spraying the structure while crews work to tear it down to suppress dust. Two portable air monitors have been set up on both sides of the building.

According to the report, crews began the process in the northwest corner of the housing complex and will gradually move south. The demolition will remove all residential and nonresidential structures in the complex, foundations, pavement and sidewalks. Amereco says in the report it expects to complete the demolition by August.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Washington, is working on a feasibility study to explore alternatives for the remediation of the site once demolition is complete. The agency says results could be finalized later in the summer.

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland sent a letter to West Calumet Housing Complex residents in July 2016 telling them to leave the site. The letter started a relocation process that was completed in June 2017.