Events

Thursday October 22nd 5:30 PM
Delavan Grider Community Center- 877 E. Delavan Ave

Residents who live near the old GM Saginaw/ American Axle Plant are hosting a panel discussion.

The panel will feature:

Lynda Schneekloth, Professor Emeritus, University at Buffalo School of Architecture

Tammy Milillo, Research Assistant, University at Buffalo Dept. of Chemistry

Natasha D. Soto, Community Organizer, Clean Air: Organizing for Health and Justice

1001 East Delevan Avenue was where rear axles, steering linkages forgings, drive shafts, steering systems and related components were assembled for automobile manufacturing. The facility also housed 6 oil fired burners, machining equipment, painting equipment and a waste water treatment plant.

There have been many plans to clean up the site of hazardous Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and n-Hexane Extractable Materials (Oil & Grease) present on the site since American Axle closed its doors in 2008, but the site has not been cleaned up of hazardous waste because of expenses- American Axle claimed bankruptcy.

In addition to the legacy waste, 1001 East Delavan is also home to new industrial manufacturers since 2013: Galvstar, who makes specialized galvanized steel; Niagara Lubricants, a lubricant manufacturer specializing in industrial and wholesale lubricants; and Ontario Specialty Contracting Group (OSC) Manufacturing & Equipment Services. 

Participants attending the panel discussion can hope to leave the panel with a better idea of the risks still present at the site, which agencies have been and are still involved with monitoring the site and if there is anything that can be done to ensure the safety of the neighborhood. The panel discussion is open to the public.

Questions? Call Natasha Soto at 716.852.3813