Patch Chat: What Should Be Placed at the Capped Gedney Landfill?

White Plains will hold an information session Thurs. June 9 at 7 p.m. at the White Plains Performing Arts Center (third floor of the City Center, 11 City Place) on the estimated $8 million dollar project to cap the former Gedney Way landfill, which is mildly contaminated, with two-feet of clean soil.

 The site was used as a landfill from 1948 to 1979 and is currently used as a leaf debris and public works storage site. The public will be able to ask the City’s environmental consultant, AKRF Environmental Consultants; the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and the New York State Department of Health questions about the project at the event.

Testing studies and documents are available through the City or the NYSDEC and will be on display at the meeting. Questions on the project can be referred to Public Works Commissioner Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti, at 914.422.1206; Martin Brand of the NYDEC, at 845.256.3123; and Kristin Kulow of the NYSDOH at 607.432.3911. 

Click on the attached PDF for more information on the project, and the history of the landfill. After the information session the NYSDEC will either approve the City's plan or send it back for changes. Once the NYSDEC approves it the council will vote on whether to approve bonds for the project. The matter is expected to appear on the council July or August agenda.

Under the City’s current landfill closure plan, after the landfill is capped it will remain a leaf refuse and public works storage site. However, some residents like Carl Albanese say they want the property remediated to the degree where it can be used as an open space park. Albanese is also calling for more extensive testing to be done in areas around the landfill. 

"I recommend the City take a step back and reevaluate the DPW City recommended Gedney Landfill Closure Plan considering no alternatives, remediation, and scientific research and studies on the TCE levels of contamination have been investigated to date," Albanese said.

It is up to the City to decide what the use of the site will be. However, if the City changes its current proposal—for example changing the landfill's use to a park—the DEC would consider the project as long as it protects public health, the environment and maintains the integrity of a two-foot cap. Creating a park where people would walk and cars drive over a 2-foot soil cap may call for a more extensive remediation, which could cost more money.

What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

• Should the landfill be turned into a park?
• What use should the City have for the landfill?
• Do you think adequate testing was done on the site?

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