Last week we noted that there was activity in the huge empty lot on the east side of Bedford Avenue between N. 11th and N. 12th Street. A neighbor emailed to fill in some blanks about the prime property, noting that a paint or chemical factory occupied the site until the early 1990s and left behind toxic issues. A few details:
At the turn of the 20th Century, the site was a massive commercial bakery, and in the 30s, there were residences and a restaurant/saloon on the lot. The property went industrial sometime around WWII. One rumor has it that chemicals used in Agent Orange were manufactured on the site, but that's just a
rumor...Considering the prime location, it's doubtful that the site would remain vacant if it was buildable. The city has stayed on the owner's back for the past few years to make sure the site is cleaned up and free of brush or debris. Otherwise, the most notable activity at the site was that some scenes for "American Gangster," a film starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, were filmed there earlier this year. We were all scared that Denzel would get sick from running around the property. No such concern was expressed for Crowe, lol.
So, there you have it--they're just keeping the toxic lot clean.
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