Return to Use Initiative
2006 Demonstration Project
Ingram Richardson I Frankfort, IN
THE SITE: The 1 7-acre Ingram Richardson site in Frankfort, Clinton County,
Indiana, produced porcelain enamel frit for steel, cast iron, and other porcelain
products.Thesite began operating in 1915 as Ingram-Richardson Inc.and ceased
operationsin 1981 after the company declared bankruptcy Some of the metals
used to produce porcelain are potentially toxic and included lead, nickel,cobalt,
and chromium.The"mountain,"a waste dumping location on the site, was on
the central eastern side of the Ingram Richardson property In the early 1950s,
the material forming the mountain was removed and transported across State
Road 28 to what is now 815 Realty Inc. property (formerly Augustus and Hook
Associates), a vacant lot. 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, and 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 and local government would like the property to be used for commercial
purposes. The surrounding region has undergone significant economic
growth.
THE BARRIER:The community knows little about the property and its possible
future uses. However, Ingram Richardson's history as a contaminated property
and its long-vacant status are well-known and have led to stigma. The site has
remained 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.Once completed,the RfR Determination
will be the first of two such environmental status reports written in the U.S. for removal sites.
THE SITE NOW: Region 5 is in the process of completing the RfR Determination for the site and considering
opportunities to highlight how, by working together, the Region and local community would be able to remove
barriers at the site and return it to productive use in the local community. Region 5 expects to complete the RfR
Determination in 2006.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tom Bloom, the Region 5 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator at
312.886.1967 or bloom.thomas@epa.gov.
Barrier:
Superfund site stigma
Solution:
Provide clear and understandable
information about the site and
protective future uses through a
Ready for Reuse Determination
Before:
Former dump for a manufactur-
ing facility
After:
Potential commercial opportu-
nity for the City of Frankfort
Superfund Redevelopment Initiative
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