CE- E. 11th Street MGP Site Operable Unit (OU) 1 (Jacob Riis Houses)
Latest News:
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issued a Notice of Violation to the New York City Housing Administration (NYCHA) on December 17, 2025. The violation was issued because NYCHA failed to notify DEC prior to work performed that impaired the implementation of the selected cleanup plan. DEC is waiting for a revised work plan from Consolidated Edison to sample the surface soils across the site to define the area needed for removal and to place the collection wells. DEC is coordinating directly with ConEd and NYCHA to address the violations, ensure proper notification of any future work planned, and evaluate changes needed to the site’s cleanup plan to ensure it remains fully protective of public health and the environment.
Most Recent Fact Sheet: December 2025 — CE- E. 11th Street MGP OU-1 – Update (PDF) on Site Cleanup and Enforcement Action
Site Background
New York State is overseeing the comprehensive cleanup of subsurface contamination at the Jacob Riis Housing properties. A Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) was in operation on and near Jacob Riis from approximately 1858 to 1933. As a result of the gas manufacturing process at that time, coal tar (a by-product of the process) and its components were left in deep soils and groundwater at this site. DEC, in consultation with the New York State Department of Health (DOH), is overseeing the work being conducted by Consolidated Edison (ConEd) to address this contamination to ensure the protection of public health and the environment.
DEC MGP Cleanup
DEC finalized the cleanup plan in July 2024 to include:
- Replacement of approximately 5,000 cubic yards of surface soil;
- Implementation of a Health and Safety Plan and Community Air Monitoring Plan during all ground-intrusive activities;
- Installation of a concrete floor in the storage room of Building 3 (1223 - 1225 FDR Drive);
- Installation of approximately 12 coal tar recovery (removal) wells across the site; and
- Implementation of a Site Management Plan to ensure the long-term maintenance and effectiveness monitoring of the cleanup systems.
Additional information, documents, and public data on the site is available on DECinfo Locator and the Environmental Remediation Site Database.
To receive future fact sheets for this site and others by email, please sign up for DEC's contaminated sites electronic mailing list ("listserv").
NYCHA Storm Hardening Work
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has performed storm hardening work over the last several years under a Hurricane Sandy Capital Improvement Program. That work involved the replacement of 4-5 feet of soil in portions of the property which was conducted under DEC oversight. Cleanup of the MGP site is separate from the NYCHA work.
Drinking Water
The ongoing cleanup work underway for this site is not impacting drinking water quality for residents of Jacob Riis Houses or the local community. NYCHA can address concerns residents may have about water quality in their building or the previously implemented storm hardening work.
Additional Information/Resources
Remedial Status and Next Steps -- Jacob Riis Properties
- English Version (PDF)
- Simplified Chinese Version (PDF)
- Spanish Version (PDF)
Contact for this Page
NYSDEC, Division of Environmental Remediation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Phone: 518-402-9543
This Page Covers
Region 2 - New York City
Icon
