SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has detected asbestos at the site of the old Drewery’s Brewery on Elwood Avenue. The building was torn down in 2017 but the ruins had lain untouched until earlier this summer.
The owner of the brewery began cleaning up the ruins but had to stop when IDEM found asbestos was still on the site. They are now working to determine how much of the area around the building has been contaminated.
“It’s smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood and the concern is for the residents around the area,” said South Bend Common Council President, Tim Scott.
The city of South Bend has allocated $200,000 to clean up the site. Another $200,000 was given by the South Bend Redevelopment Commission.
“Within that $400,000, that would include the proper removal of asbestos on that site in addition to cleaning up the rubble,” said Scott. IDEM is in control of the site until the asbestos has been eliminated.