For decades, the chromium-contaminated site at 900 Garfield Ave. has been an eyesore and health hazard for nearby Jersey City residents—many of whom may get job training to clean up the site where three million tons of chromium was produced.

“The biggest health risk is to do nothing,” said Councilman Steven Lipski at the June 17 City Council meeting.

Councilman William Gaughan agreed. “Voting ‘no’ will delay cleanup for another 8-10 years,” he said.

The City Council approved a settlement with PPG Industries for a chromium cleanup at the 16-acre Garfield Avenue site and 19 smaller sites.

The company had a chromite ore refinement plant for 40 years until 1963. “This is the largest site and the U.S. gold standard of cleanup,” said Councilman Michael Sottolano. “This settlement is platinum.”

In 2005, Jersey City filed a lawsuit against PPG along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The legal battle stalled in the courts as the DEP wrangled with cleanup standards.

The majority of residents at the June 17 meeting were in favor of a settlement.

“Jersey City has always been known as cancer alley,” said resident Catherine Grimm, telling the council that after cleanup is complete, “if you think you are willing to live there and raise your family there, vote for it.”

A few residents said the city needed stricter cleanup standards.

Councilman Steven Fulop, the lone legislator who voted against the cleanup, prompted a standing ovation.

“We don’t have a real standard of what is adequate for cleanup today. Not knowing, I vote ‘no,” he said.

City Attorney Bill Matsikoudis modified the ordinance to ensure residents’ safety. “There will be no capping at the Garfield site or any other site where residential units would go,” he said.

Cleanup would begin within five years.

There are 136 other contaminated sites in Jersey City, officials said.