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Work to demolish the former Appvion paper mill is ongoing, though Roaring Spring Mayor Dennis Igou said work appears to be at a standstill, perhaps due to the weather.
According to Stiffler McGraw project engineer Louis Seidel, dewatering activities have commenced at the former paper mill's lagoons, which were once part of the process for the on-site industrial wastewater treatment facility.
Dewatering is the first step in permanently closing the lagoons and treatment facility, Seidel wrote in an email Wednesday.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, dewatering "is a high speed process that uses the force from rapid rotation of a cylindrical bowl to separate wastewater solids from liquid to produce a non-liquid material referred to as 'cake.'"
Seidel wrote that the site is "still in the midst of the large-scale demolition process" and that "this particular activity will not conclude until some point in the fall of 2024."
"To this point, my efforts have been focused on the completion of the site demolition and associated remediation activities," Seidel wrote.
Igou said he hasn't heard anything from the site owners since Roaring Spring Borough Council's new president came on board on Jan. 2.
"Maybe I'll make an appearance down there next week when it warms up," Igou said.
A two-phase redevelopment concept for the site was shown to the Roaring Spring Borough Council and borough residents by the Altoona-Blair County Development Corp. in February 2023. ABCD Corp. President and CEO Steve McKnight had said that demolition, remediation and site preparation would take at least 18 to 24 months, but that there was "no firm thinking on the timeline for the concept site."
Phase One of the concept would encompass more than half of the 300-acre site and potentially include a K-12 athletic complex with a track, football and soccer fields, green space and trail connectivity, McKnight had said. Phase Two of the concept would be the construction of a public amphitheater.
"I believe that the owners are still evaluating the recreational complex, but are leaving the door open for other viable options for the site redevelopment," Seidel wrote.
Igou said that while a recreational complex "would be nice," he feels more that someone could "come in and develop something to give more jobs to the community."
"A sports complex, yeah, it will have some jobs, but it will be more seasonal than year-round activity," Igou said.
The Roaring Spring Police Department has warned residents to keep off the property, as demolition is ongoing. In December 2023, the department took to its Facebook page to remind residents that the grounds, buildings, sheds and surrounding areas of the former paper mill, including the surrounding woods, are off limits to those who are not affiliated with the new owners or security staff in charge of the mill and its grounds. The police department received several trespassing complaints and states that those who are in violation of trespassing will be prosecuted due to safety concerns.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.