TERRE HAUTE —
A brownfield site that once housed the former Terre Haute Coke & Carbon plant will soon be under the single ownership of the Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission.
The Vigo County Board of Commissioners approved the transfer, expected to close early next week, to allow the city to conduct further environmental site assessments and plan for the cleanup of the nearly 62-acre site at 13th and Hulman streets.
Commissioners assumed ownership of about 24.5 acres on the north side of the property and just over 15 acres on the south side in 2003 after back taxes on those parcels were not paid.
The city purchased the remaining one-third of the property, located in the middle of the site, in 2004 from a seller who had purchased the land in a tax sale.
The site was originally more than 70 acres, but part of the site has been used as a stormwater retention pond, included in the city’s $11 million upgrade of Hulman Street. The county is also retaining a portion of property it leases to Time Warner Cable. Another section is owned by the Terre Haute Quarter Midget Racing Association.
Pat Martin, chief planner for the City of Terre Haute, said the city last month was awarded $400,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for site assessment and planning for cleanup of several brownfield sites, including the former Terre Haute Coke & Carbon site.
“We can continue to investigate the site as one whole parcel and develop a remediation plan once we complete our investigation, which will be ongoing for at least a year or year and a half. We can then develop a remediation plan sometime in late 2011 or early 2012,” Martin said.
The city has completed phase I and phase II environmental site assessments through Indiana Brownfield Program funds, plus a phase II environmental site assessment followup that focused on specific spots, Martin said.
The north and south parcels have undergone a phase I environmental site assessment and a limited phase II environmental site assessment. “These were required by the Indiana Brownfield Program and Indiana Department of Environmental Management to assure them we did our due diligence before taking the property; in other words, we were well aware of what was there,” Martin said.
The site assessments determined where the plant was located, identified storage areas and used ground-penetrating radar and “a magnetometer (used to detect buried metal objects) to determine if anything remained underground that we could not see. With the results of that, we then conducted trench pit tests in a few areas to see what was in those areas,” Martin said.
Martin said the city has “already received what I call a comfort letter from IDEM that absolves us from any past liability. It acknowledges our intent to eventually develop the site with light industrial [companies] with commercial components and it also takes into account that we would have certain greenspace elements in the property itself,” Martin said.
Cliff Lambert, executive director of the Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment, said once final environmental studies are complete, the department can seek a consultant to “help us formulate the highest and best possible use” for the property for private development.
The site could be developed for light industrial or high technology companies, commercial offices, perhaps some retail and greenspace, Lambert said. The idea is to develop jobs in the city, he said.
“If commercial or retail is developed, those are likely $10-an-hour jobs,” Lambert said, but high technology companies could hire people at $25 to $40 an hour, while light industry, such as a sheet metal manufacturer, could provide $15- to $18-an-hour jobs.
Lambert estimates the property could provide a maximum of 150 to 200 jobs, depending on what type of private development occurs.
“If we can turn this property back to useful life that can promote some job growth, that would be wonderful. This is just another piece of the puzzle that we’re trying to put together so we are going to have a successful community,” Lambert said.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Top Story 4
Related Photos
-
Under new development: The Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment will take over the deed to the property near 13th and Hulman streets that was the site of the former Coke & Carbon plant. Joseph C. Garza
Discussion
Redevelopment commission acquires more of former Coke & Carbon plant site
- Top Story 4
-
-
ISU plans hearing on proposed tuition/fees increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Kid Rock, Rolling Stones on scalping, summer tours
NEW YORK — Kid Rock is a scalper.
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Nabors returns, Henderson out as Indy 500 singers
INDIANAPOLIS — Gomer Pyle will be back for this year's Indianapolis 500. Carol Brady is staying home.
-
10 Things to Know for Friday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
-
Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
GRAPEVINE, Texas — In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation's leading youth organization.
-
Youngest Oklahoma tornado victims remembered by kin
MOORE, Okla. (AP) — Nine-year-old Sydney Angle was "everywhere at once" when she was out on the softball field. Kyle Davis, 8, was nicknamed "The Wall" because of his size and presence on the soccer field. JaNae Hornsby, also 9, was the life of the party.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival kicks off
The 2013 Banks of the Wabash Festival, scheduled May 23 through June 1 in Fairbanks Park, celebrates 40 years along the banks of the Wabash River, 30 under the sponsorship of the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department.
-
North baseball pulls away from South in sectional opener
In high school baseball little things mean a lot, and the crack in the door doesn’t have to be open very wide.
Terre Haute North burst through that crack in the bottom of the second inning Wednesday evening at Terre Haute South, scoring seven two-out runs and going on to a surprisingly easy 12-2 victory over the host Braves. -
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
AAA: 31.2M drivers to take Memorial Day road trip
It's going to be another busy Memorial Day weekend on the nation's highways. From Thursday through Monday, 31.2 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more to a beach, campground or other getaway, according to car lobbying group AAA.
-
UK PM: Brutal London attack appears to be terror
LONDON — A brutal attack in broad daylight near a military barracks in London left one man dead and two suspects hospitalized Wednesday after a shootout with police. British Prime Minister David Cameron said the attack appeared to be terror related.
-
VIDEO: Orlando shootout tied to Boston bomb suspect
The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports that the victim was a friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older brother suspected in the Boston Marathon bombing.
-
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
-
What Arias will do if allowed to live
Jodi Arias asked jurors Tuesday to give her life in prison, arguing she "lacked perspective" when she told a local reporter in an interview after she was convicted of murder that she preferred execution to spending the rest of her days in jail.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Afternoon Update: Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma
The storm killed at least 24 people, including at least nine children.
-
2 children reported dead from Indianapolis fire
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say some autistic children lived in the Indianapolis condominium unit where a fire has killed two children.
-
Update: Oklahoma, other tornado-hit states brace for more
SHAWNEE, Okla. — When Lindsay Carter heard on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, she gathered her belongings and fled. When she returned, there was little left.
-
Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards
LAS VEGAS — Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.
-
10 Things to Know for Monday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday, May 20:
-
Longtime weatherman Jesse Walker relates well to people of Wabash Valley
While in middle and high school, Jesse Walker developed a strong interest in the weather. He thought about a career at the National Weather Service or at a storm prediction center, but the idea of becoming a television meteorologist never entered his mind.
-
VIDEO: Two morel mushroom recipes in less than two minutes
The latest online video in the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife’s CookIN Gone Wild series highlights morel mushrooms — a delicacy in Indiana that many people hunt for every spring.
-
No Powerball winner; jackpot soars to $475 million
So you didn't win Wednesday's $360 million Powerball jackpot? Make that you and everyone else.
-
Ohio abduction suspect’s daughter in Rockville prison
Authorities are hoping an offender jailed at the Rockville Correctional Facility can help them piece together details on how three young women were kidnapped, raped and held captive for nearly a decade in Cleveland, Ohio.
-
You’ll like Linton ... in IHSAA state finals
It’s one thing to have a goal. It is something else to achieve it. Linton did Saturday afternoon.
The Miners are in the Class 2A boys high school basketball state championship game.
-
New Indiana auto plate marks state bicentennial
Bicentennial Commission leaders hope the state’s new standard auto license plates will help build interest in Indiana’s upcoming 200th anniversary of statehood.
-
Terre Haute’s Austin completes first event in 2012 Paralympics
Terre Haute swimmer Evan Austin just missed qualifying for today’s final heat in his first event at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
-
RONN MOTT: How we dress
A few days ago, I ran into Herm Rassel … he of the men’s store of the same name in downtown Terre Haute. He said he doesn’t miss the business he retired from, but he misses the people who worked for him and those with whom he did business.
-
Humorist Phyllis Diller dies at age 95
Phyllis Diller, the housewife turned humorist who aimed some of her sharpest barbs at herself, punctuating her jokes with her trademark cackle, died this morning in her Los Angeles home at age 95.
- More Top Story 4 Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Jersey Shore Open for Business
ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Today in History May 24
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
