Review – How We Got Here
In 2021 an Investigative Subsurface Study was performed on 73-99 Empire Blvd. One study called a “Shallow Soil Investigation”, where the soil was tested from 0 ft to 2 ft deep into the topsoil, showed that there were harmful toxins in the soil, including Mercury and PHAs.
A deeper investigation into the soil showed not only the toxins above but Lead in the soil and Asbestos in a building.
In March 16, 2022, the site was entered into the State’s Brownfield Cleanup Program.
That same year Alex Adjmi, a former Drug dealer who was pardon by Trump put in an application to rezoning this property from a single story to 14 story, under the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, (ULURP)
Alex Adjmi promised to clean up the site and the City claimed it would keep the community safe by demanding he submit a Remediation Work Action Plan, that was supposed to implemented on his site before any building permits were issued that would disturb the soil and the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation would oversee compliance.
This never happened! Instead Adjmi got a permit from DOB, excavated two buildings, one with asbestos without any oversight from the (1) Mayor’s OER; (2) the City’s asbestos removal program; (3) and the Brownfield Clean up; (4) and without any remediation plan in place. The contaminated soil was disturbed and blown all over the community during the hottest months of the last year.
- There were no environmental remediation plans in place.
- No dust reduction,
- No, Air monitoring, (to detect how much pollution was happening in the community)
- No washing of tires and trucks to stop contamination spreading
- No 40 hours of training for workers
- No protective covering of the workers or toxic materials on the site
- No monitoring of where the toxic soil and asbestos was being taken, (tracking to ensure they were not being reintroduced into the soil)
- No Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans
- No further plans implemented via the Brownfield program.
Then, in the middle of August, Alex Adjmi sold it making a profit of 27 million dollars.
On October 2, 2025, we filed a lawsuit, making the claim that the Environmental Review process had been violated and that the City and the Developers failed to adhere to the law. We claimed that all the promises that the community would not be exposed to environmental hazards of this site, failed.
In response, the Alex Adjmi filed a motion to be removed off the case, claiming he had sold it so it was no longer his problem. The City claimed that the court could only look at the case before the environmental contamination happened and the new developers claimed that Alex Adjmi removed the two building with sub-basements, that they had not disturbed any soil, when they removed at least (7) ten-year old trees, scrubs, gravel and cement from the site.
On Friday, January 30, 2026, we went back to Court demanding that owners put in place the SWPPPs because of the run-off that will soon be happening as ice, rain and wind attacks those 6ft Berms filled with contaminated soil.
The City claimed that the developers do not have to comply with the law (SWPPPs), until our TRO is lifted (destroying our chances of winning) and they begin construction.
However, the law clearly says that all of the Remediation Action Work Plans were to be given “before” a construction permit is given. But then who is paying attention to the law?
Details
The Dangers of Lead, Mercury, PAHs and Asbestos Poisoning
It had been determined that Lead, Mercury, Asbestos and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons “PAH” in a toxic site that was asking for a rezoning. Below is brief summary of the dangers of these airborne toxins.
Lead Poisoning
“Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Children younger than age 6 are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect how a child’s body grows and brain develops. At high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal.” “Mayo Clinic”
Mercury Poisoning
Your body will react if you eat, touch or inhale mercury. Once inside your body, mercury travels to your heart, central nervous system and kidneys. The most severe cases of mercury poisoning affect children, and fetuses of pregnant or breastfeeding women. (Cleveland Clinic)
PAH Poisoning
Chronic exposure to PAHs can result in adverse health outcomes. These include damage to the immune system, cataracts, kidney and liver issues; breathing problems; asthma-like symptoms; and reduced lung function. (National Library of Medicine)
Asbestos Poisoning
Asbestos exposure can lead to serious respiratory disease, including asbestosis and lung cancer. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, even minimal contact can be harmful.
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