After nearly 30 years, is cleanup of the Hunters Point Shipyard almost, finally ending?

The U. S. Navy discovered airborne plutonium levels above recommended safety limits at the Hunters Point Shipyard, raising alarms among local officials who were not informed until nearly a year later. The contamination, detected in November 2024, highlights ongoing challenges in the cleanup of the site, which has remained largely unoccupied for nearly 30 years. Despite setbacks, Navy representatives maintain that they are on track to complete the cleanup by 2036, a goal that has remained steady despite potential delays from climate change and additional radioactive finds.

Only 87 of the 849 acres have been cleaned and returned to the city, while further cleanup efforts continue on the remaining parcels. The final phase will tackle Parcel F, an underwater area, with work scheduled to begin in 2027. The shipyard's history includes significant contributions during WWII and the Cold War, but its future depends on the completion of remediation efforts. Local residents, particularly in the historically Black neighborhood of Bayview-Hunters Point, are eager for the return of the land for community development. The Navy's commitment to transparency and timely communication will be crucial as the cleanup progresses.