Marshall will not buy the site of a former chemical company.
Mayor John Trefz announced this week that he will not pursue efforts to acquire the former Velsicol Chemical property on Illinois Route 1 just north of U.S. 40.
“At this time, I have decided not to move forward into the non-binding agreement due to lack of support from the council,” Trefz said. “I would like to thank Velsicol officials for the time and effort they have put towards consideration to the growth and future of the Marshall community.”
The city was approached about purchasing the 270-acre parcel for $1. The purchase would have required approval by the Marshall City Council to enter into a non-binding agreement that could be walked away from by both parties at any given time.
The site is the former location of a chemcial plant that produced the pesticide chlordane. The plant was dismantled after chlordane was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1988.
The property has been remediated with the EPA and is tested regularly. For many years, much of where the area where the factory stood has been used by the Marshall Youth Soccer League for playing fields.
Velsicol has been trying to sell the land for 15 years and will continue to find a buyer. In the meantime, it will continue to be used for soccer.