All News Releases By Date

Demolition of Homes Completed Near Escambia Wood Treating in Pensacola

Release Date: 03/04/2004
Contact Information: Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, niles.laura@epa.gov

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that the demolition of 47 vacant homes near the Escambia Wood Treating Superfund site in Pensacola, Florida has been completed. The demolition was a cooperative effort between EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Escambia County, Florida and the City of Pensacola, Florida. The demolition is a result of a National Relocation Evaluation Pilot, which resulted in the relocation of approximately 361 households near the site. The removal of the remaining 114 residential structures and a 200-unit apartment complex is planned as part of a Phase Two demolition project to be conducted at a later date. The Escambia Wood Treating site is located at 3910 North Palafox Street. The 26-acre site is an abandoned wood preserving facility that operated from 1942 until closing in 1982. The Escambia Wood Treating Company discharged spent creosote and PCP-laden waste into unlined holding ponds at the site during operation before the facility closed in 1982. In October 1991, EPA began a removal action to excavate contaminated materials. The excavated material has been stockpiled under secure cover on-site.