Client Contact:
Mayor Gayle Strassell
(812) 547-5511

Former Mayor Bill Goffinet
Indiana Association of Cities and Towns
(317) 237-6200

The Challenge:
The City of Tell City, Indiana (Tell City) acquired the former Tell City Chair manufacturing facility for redevelopment and reuse. The facility encompassed several city blocks and was used for furniture manufacturing dating back to the 1860s. Included on the property were historic multi-story buildings, multiple warehouses, aboveground and underground storage tanks, and production buildings. The City had to identify potential environmental concerns that could impact redevelopment or reuse of the property, and address them as necessary.

LFI’s Solution:
Initially, LFI assisted Tell City in obtaining funding for the project through the Indiana Development Finance Authority (IDFA) and the Indiana Department of Commerce (IDOC). Assessment work was initially conducted under the auspices of the Indiana Brownfields Program. With LFI’s technical guidance, the project was later shifted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM’s) Voluntary Remediation Program. LFI prepared an IDEM-approved VRP Work Plan to address potential historic releases to soil and groundwater from USTs, ASTs, drum storage areas, and past operational practices. Innovative site management alternatives were developed, saving the City over $150,000. Asbestos and lead paint surveys were also conducted. Following the extensive assessment, a comprehensive report was prepared and was approved by Tell City, IDEM, and IDFA. Subsequent to completing the assessment, bid specification documents and cost opinions were developed by LFI for site demolition and remediation work. The cost opinions were used by Tell City to obtain additional funding via block grants and low interest loans to proceed with redevelopment of the property. Following site remediation and asbestos abatement, the majority of site structures were demolished and removed. The site is now being considered as a possible location for a new Medical Complex. LFI continues to proudly serve as the City’s technical consultant and is currently implementing plume stability confirmation monitoring at the site.