I would like to expand on a recent Tribune article regarding the cleanup of the former Honeywell tar plant site on South Third Street.

Since the Superfund program was initiated at the former coke plant site in the early 1980s Honeywell officials have been upfront in accepting full responsibility for the cleanup and proactive in keeping the public fully informed regarding the cleanup program’s progress.

It is noteworthy to point out that although the cleanup has been ongoing for more than 25 years Honeywell has paid every nickel of the costs, including reimbursing the government for all oversight costs.

Cleaned up coke plant acreage was sold to the city at a heavily discounted price and later the former coke plant office complex was donated to the Ironton Port Authority free of charge.

During the last several years I have participated in a number of meetings involving both Honeywell and USEPA Representatives regarding future redevelopment of the tar plant property.

Not only have we discussed the donation of the property to either the city or to the Ironton Port Authority but Honeywell has expressed a willingness to incorporate utility conduits into the site’s cap in order to facilitate redevelopment of the property.

In short Honeywell’s “good neighbor” attitude and behavior have been exceptionally helpful to our economic development efforts and they are sincerely appreciated.

Bill Dickens

Economic Development Director

City of Ironton