Return to Use Initiative
2006 Demonstration Project
Ingram Richardson:
Frankfort, Indiana
Barrier:
Superfund site stigma
Solution:
Provide clear and understandable
information about the site and
protective future uses through a
Readv for Reuse determination
THE SITE: The 17-acre Ingram Richardson site in Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana,
produced porcelain enamel frit for steel, cast iron, and other porcelain products. The
site began operating in 1915 as Ingram-Richardson Inc. and ceased operations in
1981 after the company declared bankruptcy. Some of the metals used to produce
porcelain are potentially toxic and included lead, nickel, cobalt, and chromium. A
waste dumping area on the site called the "mountain" was on the central eastern
side of the Ingram Richardson property. In the early 1950s, the material forming
the mountain was removed and transported onto a vacant lot across State Road 28
to what is now 815 Realty Inc. property (formerly Augustus and Hook Associates).
Additional contamination of the Ingram Richardson site resulted from leakage of
PCB-contaminated oil from a disconnected transformer, disposal of wastes generated
from the production of porcelain enamel, and the use of asbestos-containing materials in the buildings on site. As a result of
these activities, asphalt, soils, building materials, and storage containers were contaminated with PCBs, lead, and asbestos.
Cleanup activities began in 1990, when the Frankfort Fire Department (FFD) cleaned up an oil spill on the site as well as
excavated soil and asphalt where the spill occurred. EPA initiated further removal actions in 1990 to remove contaminated soil
and debris and a faulty transformer and drums. EPA conducted a time-critical removal in 1992 to address the threat of lead and
asbestos on the site. Cleanup was completed in September of 1994.
THE OPPORTUNITY: The site, which is in an ideal commercial location in
Frankfort, has been cleaned up to allow for future commercial use. The property owner Before'
and local government would like the property to be used for commercial purposes. pormer dump for a manufacturing
The surrounding region has undergone significant economic growth. facility
THE BARRIER: The community knows little about the property and its possible After:
future uses. However, Ingram Richardson's history as a contaminated property and Potential commercial opportunity
its long-vacant status are well-known and have led to stigma. The site has remained for ^e Qty of Frankfort
fenced with warning signs for over a decade.
THE SOLUTION: The Ingram Richardson Superfund site was cleaned by the Superfund Program through a series of
removal actions. During stakeholder involvement processes paid for by Region 5 to support the local community's effort to
identify possible future land uses at the site, it became clear that the predominant barrier to reuse was uncertainty about the
levels of cleanup and protective future uses. The information maintained by EPA provided sufficient detail about the level of
cleanup to allow Region 5 to create a Ready for Reuse (RfR) Determination for the site. The RfR Determination the first of two
such environmental status reports written in the U.S. for removal sites.
THE SITE NOW: Region 5 has completed an RfR Determination for the site. The Region is now considering opportunities
to highlight how, by working together, EPA and the local community would be able to remove barriers at the site and return it
to productive use.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tom Bloom, the Region 5 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator at
(312) 886-1967 or bloom.thomas(g),epa.gov.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
updated September 2009
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