Butchertown/Phoenix Hill Area - JBS Swift Plant

Hello all,
I'm investigating the possibility of moving to a residence that is a quarter of a mile (as the crow flies) from the JBS Swift Plant in Butchertown, and wanted to see if I could pick the brains of the high quality audience that reads this forum.

My main concern is the potential smell that permeates the surrounding areas. I saw the headlines over the past few months about the controversies with the plant. Has the overall situation been overblown? When people are being interviewed by the press, sometimes they sensationalize things. Could anyone that lives/works in the area, or is familiar with the specifics, be able to provide their thoughts on the actual potentness of the smell? On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, how would you rate the smell? Is it bad enough that you would consider not moving near the plant?

In general, are there other items with this area of town that you would have liked to have known before deciding to live or work in the area?

Thanks for your help.

I do not live in that neighborhood, but I have a couple of booths at Crazy Daisy Antique Mall, which is about a block away from Swift. I have not noticed a lot of odors around the area. I have been inside the faciilty and know how it smells inside....WHEW!!!! I have noticed an odor from the area of the old Stockyards, now the Home of the Innocents, when it rains, but I am sure that is deep in the soil. We looked at several homes in that area and I would still consider it if we decided to buy another home.

I hate to make generalizations, but the plant was there 1st, and they can't help it the neighborhood gentrified. Those folks that bought homes knew it was there, so why are they b*tchin' now? Why are they trying to run off a source of jobs and taxes? I probably should keep some of my thoughts on the reasons why to myself.......

Honestly- when I drive past especially during the spring/summer sometimes the stench is overwhelming. And the noise of squealing pigs is not pleasant either.

Once upon a time I had a business route that took me into that area. The smell was OK early in the week but by Wednesday it was dreadful and got progressively worse as the week went on. I looked at a beautiful condo there for myself about 4 years ago but decided against it because of the smell.

I sell plants at the Phoenix Hill farmers market located at the Felice complex that houses the Bodega(the old Mellios spot). Thats a pretty good distance from the plant but it still smells on occasion. Its often noticeable and sometimes its oppressive.On a scale of one to ten,often in the 2 range but sometimes its an easy 8. Some of my customers that live in the area complain about it,but Im with Suzi on this....they knew it was there when they bought.A couple of years ago I had my brother in law in the car with me. I pulled over to the side of the plant where they unload the hogs,he couldn't get over the noise of those animals squealing and screeching,it really freaked him out.

I drive by the Swifty plant daily, and sometimes walk by. In full disclosure: we own brownings a few blocks away, I am a real estate broker, & vegetarian.

We have a handful of regular customers that live in Butchertown (washington st) that I polled about the aroma more than once. In the people I spoken with, they said maybe a day or 2 a month they notice it is strong, but love the neighborhood so much, it doesn't bother them. Plus, the plant was there before they bought, and they knew some days the odor would be stronger than others. The neighborhood is changing, and some great houses are in the area.
When I am driving by, I have a hard time having my windows open about 1/2 the time, immediately next to the plant and the blocks in front & beyond. Slugger field does occassionaly get a whif or 2-- but it is just a reminder that we are close. The sewer gas odor is much worse, and more often down here.
I've dropped livestock off at the stockyards before-- and I'll just reiterate, I am now a vegetarian, but realize lots of people love their bacon. Swifty employs a lot of people, and they pay their taxes. I don't begrudge them their location or have a problem w/ what they do.

Hope this helps a little. I would strongly recommend that you walk the neighborhoods you are looking at buying. At different days & times, you will always find the good & sometimes not so good that way.
Best of Luck!

Thank you all for the replies. The information will be helpful in my decision making process.

I would suggest that you wait until hot summer before deciding to move there. The smell can be strong.
There is a lot of nice places in the area.

Also check where you are looking in relation to the planning for the wonderful bridge project. It may well impact the location that you are looking at.

Like others, I have no use for the whiners that want to get rid of the plant. It's not called Butchertown for no reason.