For many Kokomo residents, it’s as if the Continental Steel site has undergone another long dormant period, with little progress visible from the city roadways since the plant’s buildings came down at the start of the decade.
But city, state and federal officials have been quietly planning for the final environmental remediation, and possibly as early as next week, the public should finally be able to see work in progress at the site.
Contractors with Indianapolis-based Keramida Inc. will begin clearing vegetation off the 80-acre main plant site, where city officials hope to begin work next year on a new city park.
City engineer Carey Stranahan said that in addition to environmental remediation work on the site, Keramida will also conduct a topographical survey of the site.
That survey will help the city finalize plans for roads and parking lots throughout the as-yet-unnamed park.
Keramida, which will install an 18-inch soil cap on the main plant site, will work with the city on the final grading, Indiana Department of Environmental Management project manager Pat Likins said.
“They’ll leave it graded so [the city] can pick up from there, so they don’t have to dig up areas that have already been covered,” Likins said.
Keramida is expected to complete the main plant site soil cover and grading work by next summer, Likins said.
IDEM will manage and pay for the work Keramida’s performing at the main plant site, and U.S. Rep. Chris Chocola, R-IN, prevailed on Congress to earmark $1 million to help the city get started on its reuse plans for Continental.
Local News
Progress made in Continental Steel planning
- Local News
-
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Noblesville police are trying to determine if the remains of a woman found Thursday along the Mississinewa River near Marion are those of missing Noblesville woman Dorothy Heard.
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
-
Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
-
Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
-
Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
-
Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Remains may be grandmother of abducted girl
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
