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Abandoned Van der Horst property poses big problem for city, feds
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| A worker discovers toxic sludge at the Van der Horst site on E. Grove Street. |
By Tricia Scruggs: reporter@terrelltribune.com
A stray cat guarding an entryway is the only sign of life these days at a site that for years housed one of Terrell’s most well-known industrial businesses.
Van der Horst USA vacated its premises at 419 E. Grove St. several years ago after filing bankruptcy. The more than 41,000 square foot building has since become a serious concern for the Environmental Protection Agency.
When it was in business, Van der Horst used a variety of chemicals, many of them toxic, to chrome plate auto parts, industrial equipment and airplane and locomotive engines.
After operations ceased, the building began to deteriorate and much of its contents were discovered to be hazardous, including a pit of chromium sludge that could prove deadly.
Months ago specially trained workers removed gallons of toxic liquid and identified and categorized vats and drums of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Yet officials say explosive sensitive materials remain and if ignited are close enough to businesses and residences to cause significant damage and injury.
“This is something that needs to be taken care,” said Eric Delgado, the EPA on-scene coordinator who will manage the next clean-up phase beginning in January. “It’s one of the nastier chrome plating [sites] I’ve seen in the region.”
Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana make up the EPA’s five-state south central region.
Terrell city leaders have become increasingly troubled by the site since May when a small fire was set in the northern part of the building.
According to the EPA. The blaze started when flames from a metal cutting torch came in contact with chemically laced water. Though a major fire at the facility would be impossible for local firefighters to quell, Delgado said EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality gave first responders a tour and a map, highlighting the locations of specific chemicals, among them acids, kerosene, oxidizers and cyanide.
Assistant City Manager Mike Sims said previous clean-up efforts ceased after funding ran out, but two weeks ago city staff learned that the EPA had allocated additional dollars to finish the job, which will cost an estimated $2.7 million and take six to eight months to complete.
“That’s a big success,” Sims said. “That’s what we really needed them to do. We’re just happy that we’ve gotten on their schedule and they’ve got the funding to do it.”
The EPA may have escalated the importance of the Van der Horst site after obtaining samples from King and Frasier creeks in August that indicated run-off from the site had made its way about a mile downstream. At this point, however, no off-site clean up is planned however both local and federal officials say that could change. Reimbursement from any current and prior owners will be sought by EPA officials.
Terrell Mayor Hal Richards said City Engineer Steve Rogers, Assistant City Manager Mike Sims and City Manager Torry Edwards were instrumental in getting the old Van der Horst site on the EPA radar, which for Terrell citizens means a safer community.
“It’s been a real cooperative effort,” Richards said. “I don’t know how we could deal with this if it weren’t for the EPA. We’re really lucky that they’ve taken the position they have.”
Van der Horst USA vacated its premises at 419 E. Grove St. several years ago after filing bankruptcy. The more than 41,000 square foot building has since become a serious concern for the Environmental Protection Agency.
When it was in business, Van der Horst used a variety of chemicals, many of them toxic, to chrome plate auto parts, industrial equipment and airplane and locomotive engines.
After operations ceased, the building began to deteriorate and much of its contents were discovered to be hazardous, including a pit of chromium sludge that could prove deadly.
Months ago specially trained workers removed gallons of toxic liquid and identified and categorized vats and drums of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Yet officials say explosive sensitive materials remain and if ignited are close enough to businesses and residences to cause significant damage and injury.
“This is something that needs to be taken care,” said Eric Delgado, the EPA on-scene coordinator who will manage the next clean-up phase beginning in January. “It’s one of the nastier chrome plating [sites] I’ve seen in the region.”
Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana make up the EPA’s five-state south central region.
Terrell city leaders have become increasingly troubled by the site since May when a small fire was set in the northern part of the building.
According to the EPA. The blaze started when flames from a metal cutting torch came in contact with chemically laced water. Though a major fire at the facility would be impossible for local firefighters to quell, Delgado said EPA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality gave first responders a tour and a map, highlighting the locations of specific chemicals, among them acids, kerosene, oxidizers and cyanide.
Assistant City Manager Mike Sims said previous clean-up efforts ceased after funding ran out, but two weeks ago city staff learned that the EPA had allocated additional dollars to finish the job, which will cost an estimated $2.7 million and take six to eight months to complete.
“That’s a big success,” Sims said. “That’s what we really needed them to do. We’re just happy that we’ve gotten on their schedule and they’ve got the funding to do it.”
The EPA may have escalated the importance of the Van der Horst site after obtaining samples from King and Frasier creeks in August that indicated run-off from the site had made its way about a mile downstream. At this point, however, no off-site clean up is planned however both local and federal officials say that could change. Reimbursement from any current and prior owners will be sought by EPA officials.
Terrell Mayor Hal Richards said City Engineer Steve Rogers, Assistant City Manager Mike Sims and City Manager Torry Edwards were instrumental in getting the old Van der Horst site on the EPA radar, which for Terrell citizens means a safer community.
“It’s been a real cooperative effort,” Richards said. “I don’t know how we could deal with this if it weren’t for the EPA. We’re really lucky that they’ve taken the position they have.”
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of terrelltribune.com.
fromTerrell1963 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:02 PM:
" It really makes me wonder how many former employees of VanDerHorst have died from Cancer from the exposure from all the chemicals. Something needs to be done to that place and quick! "
roadtrip wrote on Nov 20, 2008 5:53 PM:
" Well, it looks like they are trying to get something done about. I had a buddy who worked there. The fumes ate a hole through his septum inside his nose. He could put his finger in one nostril and it would come out his other nostril.
Good article. "
Good article. "
roadtrip wrote on Nov 19, 2008 5:40 PM: