SGL SITE: Safety hazard piling up

<!--Rick Forgione--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Forgione</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com">rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>

Activity at the old SGL Carbon site on Niagara Falls Boulevard is attracting some new criticism — this time from the city and fire department.

The city’s inspections department has sent out a letter to owners NFB Carbon Properties citing them for the improper storage of “combustible” material at the site including cardboard and paper, said Chief Inspector Guy Bax. The company was given until Friday to contact the city or inspectors will condemn the property for occupancy.

“We’ve gotten complaints from the fire department and other people that there’s newspapers and cardboard stored both upon the premises and inside the building,” Bax said. “They don’t have any sanction for that use.”

Located in the 6100 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard, the vacant SGL Carbon site has been the subject of controversy in recent months because a new company, Ashland Advanced Materials, is looking to reopen a portion of the property to produce carbon and graphite materials. The development has been contested by numerous nearby business and hotel owners who feel industrial work is no longer a good fit on the growing commercial corridor.

Bax pointed out the newest problem is not related to the portion of property Ashland is looking to reopen. In fact, Ashland officials are among those complaining about the mess created at the site, he added.

“They don’t want to be associated with the debris because it’s not from them,” Bax said.

The city has also gotten reports that some of the debris and paper ended up on the street during recent wind storms.

A representative of NFB Carbon Properties could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The company should receive the certified letter from the inspections department today or Thursday.

“At this point, we want them to contact us so we can try and sit down and resolve this issue,” Bax said. “If we don’t hear from them, the building will be condemned for occupancy and we will notify the police and fire department that nobody is allowed on the premises.”

The stacked bales of cardboard and paper, some as high as 10 feet tall, are easily visible by motorists going down Niagara Falls Boulevard. It has created a serious fire hazard because the materials are located too far away from working hydrants. Fire Chief William MacKay said NFB Carbon was given permission to eliminate hydrants located within the property line a couple of years ago when the buildings were being vacated.

However, by storing cardboard and paper at the site over the past month, the company is not adhering to the provisions, MacKay added.

“If it’s allowed to continue into the summer months, we could have a potential problem,” he said.

Along with being a safety concern, the outside storage is creating an unpleasant scene, especially for visitors to the EconoLodge located across the street.

“I think it’s ridiculous that they’re storing garbage outside,” said EconoLodge owner Galeb Rizek, who is also among those who have spoken out against Ashland’s project. “I don’t understand how the city can allow that. It’s a huge mess.”

On Monday, Bax updated the City Council about the actions being taken to resolve the problem. Councilman Samuel Fruscione supported the issuance of a warning letter and possible condemnation.

“We’ve got to play hardball with them,” Fruscione said. “It looks terrible.”