Schumer held a press conference Wednesday right across the street from the crumbled remains of the Crawford Furniture Factory, located at 1061 Allen St. During his press conference, he highlighted Jamestown’s history in furniture manufacturing.

“Behind us was one of the economic hearts of Jamestown, the Crawford Furniture Factory and it’s a testament to the city’s legacy,” he said. Jamestown once was called the furniture capital of the world. It was once a source of pride for this community, but now it’s a toxic eyesore, possibly filled with hazardous chemicals and asbestos from its industrial past that are preventing this site from reaching new potential.”

Referencing the recent fire that ravaged the Crawford Furniture building, Schumer said what was once a “blight” in Jamestown has become a “potentially dangerous” hazard regarding the environment and public health.

While the city and the EPA have been working on coordinating efforts to clean up the site of the major fire, Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Coon said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

P-J photo by Timothy Frudd Pictured, from left, are U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel and Mayor Eddie Sundquist.

Before presenting his three-step plan for the site, Schumer thanked the firefighters, police and first responders for their hard work in ensuring that the community was protected and that the fire did not spread to other buildings in the city.

Throughout his speech, Schumer detailed the “significant financial burden” facing Jamestown in regard to the cleanup of the Crawford Furniture property and shared that the cost of the project is “beyond” Jamestown’s current resources. He stressed the importance of the EPA doing “everything in their power” to help with the cleanup of the site while also protecting local residents and businesses in the community.

Both Schumer and city officials also emphasized that the owner of the building will be held responsible for the damage caused by the fire.

According to Schumer, the first step in the project is for the EPA to complete a full investigation of the property under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, also known as the Superfund program. Schumer explained that if the EPA determines an immediate risk to health and public safety, the organization can utilize a Superfund Removal Action to protect the public through a “short-term response.”

Schumer said the Superfund Removal Action can be funded through the bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He explained that the Infrastructure Law included $3.5 billion in funding for the Superfund program, as well as $1.5 billion for the Brownfield program.

“Once they’re done removing and cleaning up the site, Brownfields can restore the site so it can be used for something else, so it’s sort of a one-two-three punch” he said. “First they come in and assess what needs to be done. Second, they pay to clean it up, and then third, Brownfields come and makes the site good as new so that someone can come here and employ people.”

After urging the EPA to complete a full investigation of the property and provide funding for clean up efforts, Schumer explained that national leaders are placing an emphasis on restoring manufacturing jobs in the United States after many manufacturing companies left America for other countries.

“We’ve done that in the last legislative session,” he said. “We’re going to do many more in the next few years. We’re going to bring manufacturing back, which we need to do. Jamestown is representative of that.”

Mayor Eddie Sundquist thanked Schumer for his support and for working to provide the city with funding through the EPA to cleanup the Crawford Furniture building property. Sundquist also highlighted the efforts of the Jamestown Fire Department and other local fire departments that helped extinguish the massive fire, prevent any serious injuries from occurring as a result of the fire and ensure minimal damage to surrounding businesses and properties.

“This devastating fire was something that no municipality can truly prepare for,” Sundquist said. “Funds for cleanup will help us recover and help ensure that our residents aren’t on the hook for the irresponsible actions of the owner of the building.”

Crystal Surdyk, director of development, explained that Schumer’s support is “vital” to the city’s effort to receive the necessary funding to clean up the Crawford Furniture building site.

“Without these funds, the City will face serious fiscal distress,” she said. “Thanks to our work with the EPA and other State and Federal agencies prior to the fire, we are well-positioned and determined to hold the property owner accountable to ensure that Jamestown’s taxpayers do not bear the financial burden of this devastating event.”

Schumer was joined by Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas, Director of Development Crystal Surydk, Jamestown Police Captain Scott Forester, Jamestown Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Coon, City Councilman Bill Reynolds, City Councilman Randy Daversa, and City Council President Anthony Dolce for Wednesday’s press conference.

In a letter to the EPA, Schumer wrote, “I write to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bolster its presence at Jamestown’s former Crawford Furniture Factory site in order to conduct a thorough investigation and expeditiously provide federal resources for removal action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).”

In his letter, Schumer explained that the site of the former Crawford Furniture building contains chemical hazards such as asbestos, acetone, chromium and toluene due to its history as a manufacturing and industrial building. Schumer warned the EPA that the fire which consumed the property on November 16 made the situation “even worse” by likely releasing dangerous chemicals into the environment.

“Not only did the initial release of these substances endanger first responders and the nearby community, but each day the debris continues to sit poses an even greater threat to the community,” he wrote. “While the city of Jamestown has done great work in the containment of this site, following every precaution necessary to mitigate any potential threat, the recent fire necessitates federal action.”

Schumer explained to the EPA that the removal of the Crawford Furniture Factory remains is a project that would be “better suited” for the EPA due to the financial and technical challenges presented by the situation. He urged the EPA to “expeditiously” investigate the property so that it can be added to the “Superfund Site” list and receive federal funding. Schumer added that federal aid for the clean up efforts is “crucial” to maintaining the safety of the Jamestown community.