CONTENTS
Intermet 2009... One year ago this month I published a story about the sale of Havana's former Intermet Manufacturing Plant ( CLICK HERE ). At that time the salvage operation was underway and since then I have had a number of questions from viewers as to the status and condition of the plant so I have taken new photos on September 25th and have been able to find some information to answer at least some of your questions.
In Troy, Michigan on January 12, 2004, Gary Ruff, President and CEO of Intermet Corporation announced the closing of the Havana Plant operation. This announcement marked the loss of 205 jobs in Havana effective in June of that year. This loss of course not only devastated those 205 employees and their families but also the community of 3,500 and it's local economy. This closure was one direct result of Mason County being placed on the Poverty Warning List as reported by the Pekin Times in this report, CLICK HERE.
There was hope that the facility could be sold to another company who would place it back into operation but four years later this was not to be...
It was reported to the Havana City Council on July 1, 2008, that the plant was the subject of meetings for the sale of the Intermet facility. This company in fact did purchase the plant and property in it's entirety. 227 Wagner Ave LLC, was formed in 2008 in Cleveland, OH, but legally has a mailing address in Olney, PA. This company began demolition at the location immediately. I have been told that the exact purchase price was never fully disclosed but was speculated to be $500,000 and the planned amount of income generated by the scrap metal and wiring obtained during the demolition process was $2,000,000. I have spent hours searching the Internet for information on 227 Wagner Ave LLC, but there is simply no information available on this company.
Locally based information does state that
current taxes on this facility have been paid by an individual named Timothy
Fogerty. I know that many of you will have questions regarding who this
company really is but I can tell you in advance that I have not been able to
find this information at this time. The group could be located anywhere
actually but the bottom line is that the work has been completed at the
facility and stands today as you see here in the photographs. The property
is once again for sale but there is one additional matter regarding the
property in the form of the ground
contamination durring the years of Dana Corporation operations.
In the latest report generated by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES on March 4, 2009, it contains a detailed history and current condition of this matter. Havana City Water Department customers have been notified of the water contamination problem and it is further noted that anyone in this general area who has a typical well should not allow children to have access to this water for drinking purposes and should not be used for cooking. To view this report please CLICK HERE .
The City of Havana has no responsibility in this matter. Havana Economic Development Coordinator, Terry Svob, was active in the attempt to sell the facility after it's closing in order to get the plant productive again and retain at least some of the 205 lost jobs. A number of you have asked about this possible responsibility but I have been assured by a Havana Councilman that there is no areas where the City will be held responsible in these contamination or any other matters.
So there you have it with the exception of more information on the 227 Wagner Ave LLC and there is really not much that can be said about it other than, "Gee, why didn't I think of doing that?"
