Have you been wondering what all the commotion has been on Bridge Street near the dog park this morning?

Contributor William Legault has the answer:

The Salem Fire Department and the Department of Environmental Protection are supervising the razing of the old "steel and welding shed" at the abandoned Universal Steel property located at 229 Bridge St.  

The 5,200 square foot building sits in the southwest corner of the site and abuts a residential area.

The property is considered contaminated as a result of the storing, dismantling and processing of transformers and automotive batteries conducted over the years. 

Universal Steel once employed eight to 10 year-round workers salvaging steel and other metals from around New England.  In the  mid-1970s, Universal Steel reprocessed much of the old Trans-Atlantic Communication cables which were stored at the old South Boston Navy Yard.

In recent years, the property has been used by the transient and homeless population.

Of the three original structures on the property, only the main 8,000 square foot office and warehouse  building will remain.