AVON LAKE, Ohio -- Charah Solutions Inc. has purchased the Avon Lake power plant from its current owner, GenOn, for teardown and redevelopment of its 40 lakefront acres.
The transfer of ownership is scheduled for early April 2022 after the coal-fired, electricity-generating station ceases operation.
Mayor Greg Zilka said current employees will be provided services to help them find jobs after the closing.
In the meantime, Charah noted in a press release that “GenOn will continue to maintain responsibility for the plant and operate the plant in the normal course of business through closing.”
As part of the agreement, Charah notes that it “will acquire the 40-acre area located on Lake Erie, which consists of multiple parcels of land adjacent to the generating plant, including the generating station, submerged lands lease in Lake Erie, substation/switch gear and transformers, administrative offices and structures, coal rail and storage yard parcels south of Lake Road, as well as the interconnection agreement.”
Charah Solutions has a subsidiary, Avon Lake Environmental Redevelopment Group (ALERG), that will oversee the redevelopment of the property and will work with the city “to expand economic activity and benefit the surrounding communities through job creation and enable this site to provide the best potential use for the community and City of Avon Lake moving forward,” the press release notes.
ALERG is currently in discussions with the city on all fronts for the property and its future. Zilka sees the entire project as a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity for the city.
“This is the end of an era,” he noted in the company’s press release, “and it reflects the changes occurring in our nation and around the world.
“We’re excited about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a transformational redevelopment for Avon Lake that will open up a 40-acre site on Lake Erie to the public, while we also take a big step forward in cleaning up our environment and improving the quality of life for our community.”
Information about Charah describes their company as “a leading provider of environmental services and byproduct sales to the power generation industry.”
Read more from the Sun Sentinel.