Sanders Highland Park Fire Might Kill Recycling Plant
LAS VEGAS -- A Las Vegas firm planning a recycling plant for construction and demolition debris on the site of the former Sanders factory says the fire at the site last weekend may scuttle its plans.
Last November, Green Energy Renewable Solutions Inc. (OTCBB: EWRL) bought five acres at the former Sanders factory at 100 Oakman Boulevard in Highland Park, and later contracted to buy adjacent parcels totaling about 10 acres.
The company says the combined 15-acre site is planned for development into a construction and demolition debris recycling plant, as well as the future site for a waste-to-energy plant that would use waste wood and other materials to produce renewable fuels and electricity.
Green Energy says it had planned to close on the 450,000-square-foot 100 Oakman building, as well as an adjacent 25,000-square-foot building at 70 Oakman, within the next 30 days, pending an environmental study.
In a statement, the company said: "Pending further information on the investigation of the fire and determination of any material cost increases due to environmental issues caused by the fire, the company may exercise its option to cancel the purchase contract for these properties."
Added Green Energy CEO Joe DuRant in a statement: "While the fire was an unfortunate event, it is important to realize that Green Energy does not currently own nor have financial investment in the damaged building. We are hopeful that the investigation of the fire will conclude that no material environmental issues have occurred, and that we can proceed with the planned redevelopment of this site. In the event that the pending fire investigation results in material delays, or conditions make this location untenable, we will plan to seek an acceptable alternate site in Highland Park. I have spoken to State Representative Johnson and Highland Park Mayor Windom, and affirmed our commitment to develop this project. Green Energy will continue to work with the city to bring state-of-the-art recycling facilities and waste-to-energy conversion technologies to the Highland Park Community."
Company officials say they plan to meet with the Mayor, city and county officials in Highland Park next week to formalize an action plan to proceed with the demolition and begin the permitting process for the recycling operations.
The company's proposed development plan for the Sanders factory building calls for demolishing the manufacturing space while preserving and restoring the historic front portion of the building for use as its corporate headquarters. The restoration plan includes conversion of the front space for corporate offices, meeting and training facilities, as well as public meeting space that will be available for local community use.
The space created by demolition of the factory portion of the building would serve as the location for a new structure to house the C&D recycling facility and waste-to-energy plant. Design of the planned new building will allow all processing of materials to be performed under one roof, and features will include air handling and noise abatement equipment that will keep noise and potential dust from impacting the surrounding neighborhood. Exterior landscaping plans call for a berm around the entire property that will provide additional noise damping effects and create a visually appealing green space.
According to the plan, the smaller building, 70 Oakman, would be used as a short-term processing facility for processing recycle materials generated from the demolition. While demolition is in progress the company anticipates it will file for permits to utilize that building as a temporary space to process intake from new materials until the new plant building is completed. When the new space is permitted for operations the smaller 25,000 square foot building will be demolished.
Pending receipt of further information, Green Energy said it plans to proceed immediately to complete environmental surveys. Upon conclusion, assuming no material environmental issues, final architectural and landscape plans will be produced and the site plan will be filed with the City and County for review. Once permits are approved, Green Energy plans to process up to 1,000 tons of C&D per day at the site. The post-processing recovered materials will be sold for reuse as recycled materials, processed for compost, mulch, renewable green fuels and electricity. The Company expects to reduce landfill impact by 85 percent or more using its recovery and conversion strategies.
