EPA to remove hazardous substances from Slavic Village warehouse

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Agents with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began removing hazardous substances from a warehouse in Slavic Village Tuesday.

The four-story warehouse is located in the 3100 block of E. 55th St. and covers 3.29 acres. It was originally built as a commercial bakery and warehouse in the mid-1920s.

According to the EPA, the cleanup includes disposing of abandoned drums and containers.

Some of the samples collected from inside the building are confirmed “flammable, toxic, and corrosive waste, as well as asbestos,” according to a news release from the EPA.

David Shark, a press officer with EPA Region 5, said Ohio EPA and city of Cleveland inspectors visited the site in September 2025 after complaints from residents.

Shark added the EPA will conduct monitoring during the cleanup to make sure air quality is not affected.

Residents are invited to attend a public meeting on the cleanup on Oct. 6 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. at Elizabeth Baptist Church, 6114 Francis Ave., Cleveland.

The cleanup is expected to be completed in early 2027.