Newport —
As autumn leaves fell to the ground about the Vermillion Rise Mega Park Saturday morning, officials predicted great things will spring to life there in coming months and years.
About 250 visitors gathered at the former Newport Chemical Depot headquarters building inside the 7,155-acre compound. Two tents fluttered in the slight breeze under an October sun as the Vermillion Rise Mega Park open house kicked off.
The property and its buildings, now under local control after release by the U.S. Army, were noticeably vacant, something local organizers hope to change.
Jack Fenoglio, board president of the Newport Chemical Depot Reuse Authority, said “great things will rise up” at the location, explaining the mega park’s name “Vermillion Rise.”
Fenoglio’s group hopes the area can be developed in both the economic and natural senses, he said.
He said the quality-of-life aspect of a nature area can greatly improve industrial drawing power.
Ecological developments in store for the site include a 2,194-acre “Indiana Bat Protection Zone” and an additional 1,705-acre nature zone.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources ecologist Thomas Swinford said after the open house that the hope is to re-create an area similar to what the first settlers would have seen.
“We have an unbelievable opportunity to put back together the pre-settlement conditions of Vermillion County,” he said, pointing out specifics on large map displays. The “awesome asset” this will create not only helps draw business to the area, but it sets the tone for future development. “This is part of your prairie heritage,” he said.
The 1,705-acre swath will include the prairie installation contiguous to 1,100 acres of protected timberland.
John Davis, deputy director of the IDNR, was one of several speakers to credit the transfer process as relatively quick.
“I believe this is record time,” he said of the 14-month process between official base closure and local acquisition.
While the U.S. Army placed the depot on a closure list in 2005, its handover was stalled as toxic nerve gas once stored there had to be neutralized, he and others explained. Even with that lengthy neutralization process, most military base realignments take considerably longer, he said.
U.S. 8th District Congressman Larry Bucshon said the expedited process demonstrates what can happen when government and private sector agencies work together. In the big picture, the facility presents ample opportunity for job creation.
“Creating a place for high-paying jobs is exciting not just for Vermillion County, but the whole area,” he said. Job creation is America’s top priority at present, as unemployment remains amid a “sagging economy,” he added.
Bill Laubernds, executive director of the Newport Chemical Depot Reuse Authority, said the project’s success to date has been the result of selfless teamwork.
“The board has never once come and asked me to do something that would benefit them,” he said, adding that kind of attitude speeds the process along and motivates federal officials to act.
The property’s characteristics, while empty now, offer great promise in a number of fields, meaning a diversity of businesses can rise from what was once a “dominant” industry sector, he said.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
This diagram shows a portion of the space available at the Vermillion Rise Mega Park.
-
An aerial photograph shows the site of the Vermillion Rise Mega Park
-
Vermillion Rise Logo
Discussion
Vermillion County has big plans for former Chemical Depot site
- News
-
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
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.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
- More News Headlines
-
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Jersey Shore Open for Business
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
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
