Glendale Lydell apartments high TCE, residents 'on edge'
GLENDALE, Wis. - The North Shore Health Department ordered the evacuation of six brand-new apartments in Glendale after testing showed the elevated presence of trichlorethylene (TCE), a cancer-causing chemical.
The Lydell, (5805 N. Lydell Avenue) was on the Wisconsin DNR's radar. The department deemed it a historic waste site two years ago after the developer found TCE.
Neighbors said they want to know why people were allowed to move in.
"If it’s here, how do we know it’s not everywhere in this particular neighborhood?" said Anne Liccione.
On Wednesday afternoon, July 19, apartment windows of building No. 3 of The Lydell were wide open amid a health hazard inside.
The Lydell, Glendale
"I would like to have somebody look in my place and make sure it’s good," said Bryan Claypool.
Six apartments in building No. 3 were evacuated after testing revealed an elevated presence of TCE. Repeated exposure to the chemical can cause cancer. It is commonly used as an industrial degreaser.
"I would like to see them follow through on what’s going on and make sure everything is OK," said Claypool. "I’m a little on edge with the developments that are coming."
Developers built The Lydell on top of a former landfill for Schlitz Brewery, which the DNR deemed a "historic waste site" in 2021. That means the company has to fix its contamination problem.
It also requires the DNR to keep open records on the site.
The Lydell, Glendale
FOX6 obtained documents from June showing while the DNR reviewed air sampling results collected by a third-party firm, tenants had already moved into building No. 3.
Liccione lives in the building next door.
"I think everyone is curious about what is going to happen, particularly, with this building," said Liccione.
The map shows the evacuations and high levels of TCE detected impacting both occupied and unoccupied units.
Neither the leasing office nor the building owners responded to FOX6's request for comment Wednesday.
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"Of course, it makes everyone nervous," said Liccione. "It makes you wonder."
It's not clear how long the people who were evacuated could be out of their homes.
Statement from Cypress Bayshore Residential, LP
"We would like to respond to recent media coverage regarding the detection of TCE at the Lydell Apartments.
First and foremost, Cypress Bayshore Residential, LP is working closely with the North Shore Health Department and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to prioritize the safety and comfort of all tenants at the Lydell Apartments.
We would like to clarify that elevated levels of TCE have only been identified in one building (Building 3), limited to 6 apartments, and these residents have been relocated.
Cypress Bayshore Residential, LP has paid for relocation costs.
We continue to conduct daily environmental testing in all apartments in Building 3 under the oversight of the Wisconsin DNR and North Shore Health Department. Air purifiers have been provided to each of the 33 occupied units in that building. All current tenants have readings that are below what the Health Department considers actionable. Cypress Bayshore Residential, LP has daily conference calls with the DNR and Health Department to review test results and remediation efforts for the day. If any unit tests above the North Shore Health Department’s recommended limit, we will work alongside tenants to create a plan for relocation."
Lincoln Residential Statement
"Lincoln Residential is the property management firm that was hired by the owner to oversee day-to-day operations at The Lydell. Cypress Equities owns The Lydell and is responsible for the testing and mitigation of all environmental hazards at the property, including TCE.
Lincoln Residential was unaware of the presence of TCE or the testing requirements until a June visit from the health department. As a result, Lincoln Residential has terminated its agreement with Cypress Equities.
The Lydell residents are top priority, and Lincoln Residential is working on a plan to assist the owner with providing affected residents with options for alternative housing during the transition to a new management company. Cypress Equities is coordinating with The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the North Shore Health Department on resolving the issue, and all questions should be directed to them."