Demolition of the last of the Photech Inc. buildings in [FONT=verdana,arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Rochester, NY[/SIZE][/FONT], making way for transformation of the site as an industrial park.

“This is an important step in the redevelopment of this property,” Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy said in a statement.

“Years ago it was abandoned, creating a serious health risk and eyesore for the community. But, like Midtown, we are working hard at our remediation efforts with the help of the state’s environmental restoration program.”

The state program reimburses municipalities for the cleanup costs of contaminated properties they own. The cost for the Photech cleanup, including the removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, is $5.2 million, city officials said.

The city will get $3.4 million from the state, and a $200,000 brownfield cleanup grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, officials said.

Plans for the 12.5-acre site call for subdivision into three parcels, with a new road into the property from Driving Park Avenue, installation of a water and sewer system, and an application to the federal Economic Development Administration for a $2.9 million grant to pay for infrastructure costs, city officials said.

Demolition work began in February and is scheduled to be completed next week, officials said. It includes basement slabs and building foundations.

The site will be backfilled and graded, and the concrete and brick from the 15 buildings will be crushed and recycled.

Photech manufactured photographic film for some 40 years before closing in 1990. The city obtained the property in 1997 under tax foreclosure proceedings.

The new parcels will be designed to accommodate new industrial and manufacturing facilities of 60,000 to 80,000 square feet each, officials said.

LaBella Associates P.C. is the project manager. LeChase Construction Services LLC is the construction manager. Environmental Remediation Services Inc. is the environmental contractor.