A 68-year-old Springfield automotive collision repair facility has closed its doors after learning the Missouri attorney general would pursue penalties for alleged violations of hazardous waste-management law.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2009 accused Creek Collision Repair Inc., 1445 E. Trafficway, of violating hazardous waste storage and transportation requirements This month, MDNR officials turned the case over to the attorney general.
For owner Don Creek, the MDNR allegations sealed the deal.
“Business has been super-bad,” Creek said shortly after closing Creek Collision Repair on May 17. “We’ve never been in trouble at all, always kept everything up to date.”
According to a news release, MDNR officials visited the site in late 2008 and discovered Creek Collision had accumulated a large amount of hazardous waste, including drums of flammable and toxic chemicals stored in the open without a system to keep spills from escaping.
“The department conducted two follow-up inspections and, both times, the waste hadn’t been properly disposed,” MDNR spokesman Larry Archer said, noting that officials found arium, methylketone and chromium on site. All have to be dealt with in accordance with hazardous waste regulations, handling and disposal.”
According to DNR, Creek Collision Repair’s staff was not familiar with proper waste-handling procedures.
Creek said the hazardous materials were collected in 55-gallon barrels and stored in a corner of the building.
“They wanted us to get it hauled off,” Creek said. “We told them we couldn’t afford it.” Disposing of the waste would have cost a one-time fee of roughly $3,000, Creek said. At another Springfield body shop, hauling off waste is a budgeted fact of life.
“We have a licensed carrier come by and pick up our hazardous waste once a month,” said Barry Million, manager of College Street Body Shop, 2136 W. College St.
Million said the 63-year-old body shop pays $105 a month to have the 30-gallon barrels hauled off.
Creek said MDNR fined his business $50,000, negotiated down to $10,000.
“I told them we couldn’t do that,” Creek said. “They demanded monthly payments and turned it over to the attorney general. I don’t know what will happen now.”
Creek said the closure is an unfortunate result of the economy.
At its high point in 1998, Creek Collision employed upwards of 20 workers. When it closed, it was down to five.
Creek’s father, Loverne Creek, and his grandfather, Morris Creek, founded the shop shortly after World War II.[[In-content Ad]]
A Springfield couple launched 24-hour fitness center Iron Knights Strafford; Springfield-based Meridian Title Co. LLC made its debut in Mount Vernon; and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in conjunction with the grand opening of Render Flooring LLC.
