Running out of a patience to wait for a definitive answer from Farmland about the factory’s reopening in Albert Lea, the city will consider calling a hearing for reviewing the demolition process of the company’s old site.

Friday, December 07, 2001

Running out of a patience to wait for a definitive answer from Farmland about the factory’s reopening in Albert Lea, the city will consider calling a hearing for reviewing the demolition process of the company’s old site.

The hearing is to examine various environmental threats the abandoned factory poses, apparently intending to put pressure on Farmland to make up its mind about whether it will take a deal from the city to be absolved of the cleanup in exchange for resuming production on a new site offered by the city. If the company doesn’t accept the deal, it will be fully responsible for the old site.

If approved at the council meeting on Monday, the hearing will be held Jan. 14.

City Manager Paul Sparks emphasized the urgent need to either demolish or reconstruct the buildings damaged by the July fire.

According to Sparks, a Twin Cities engineering firm conducting the city’s Phase II environmental study reported that some of the buildings were not safe to do the study and advised to proceed with demolition of the stockyards and rendering area.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also notified the city that the agency might initiate a voluntary investigation and cleanup program. MPCA has already informed Farmland about it and encouraged the company to act to assess the extent of the pollution and beginning the process for cleaning it up.

In addition, the City Inspection Department has concluded that there is a significant problem with deterioration of the buildings, and recommended the company be required either to begin repairs or to demolish the structures.

The city’s proposed motion carries a message that the city would not put up with further delay of Farmland’s decision.

The incentive package the city offered includes a free 32-acre site and the transfer of cleanup obligations on the old site to the city.

The hearing is intended to remind Farmland that the estimated $5 million cleaning project would be the company’s immediate responsibility.

Farmland explained a negotiation with insurance companies needs to be cleared before it can make a decision.

The company originally promised to announce the decision in October.