Today, Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) commended the collaboration efforts between the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the City of East Cleveland and his office as the ARCO dump site cleanup moves into its final phase.

Senator Yuko has worked closely with the state to secure over $9 million in state funding to clean up the grounds.

“No one should have to live in the conditions that the families of Noble Road were forced to tolerate for years,” said Senator Yuko. “We’ve worked together with the community and with state agencies to make this right and now the cleanup is nearly complete. I’m really pleased with the work that’s been done here.”

The Noble Road site was originally established as a recycling facility for construction and demolition debris. However, since 2014 it had been operating as an illegal dump just feet from residential homes in East Cleveland. For the past four years, residents near Noble Road have had to deal with garbage right in their backyards, foul odors and rodent infestations – among other ongoing health and safety concerns.

The pile of debris at the site has now been removed and crews are finishing the project by scraping the area to remove any remaining residue. Senator Yuko pledged that he will continue to work closely with the state and East Cleveland community leaders to monitor the site.

“The completion of the cleanup is just the first step,” said Senator Yuko. “I’m committed to staying involved in the coming months and years to monitor the future of the site and address any long-term health concerns affecting those living nearby.”