Efforts to Save Gas Works Continue

Representatives of Columbia Gas attempted on Wednesday evening, April 15, to explain to about 25 concerned citizens why they planned to demolish the historic Gas Works building. At one point, the NiSource environmental project manager asked, “Why would anyone want to keep a building that can’t be occupied?” Columbia Gas provided a detailed review of their numerous efforts since 1997 to […]

April 22, 2009; 4:24 PM • by Anne

Columbia Gas provided a detailed review of their numerous efforts since 1997 to abate environmental concerns remaining from the many decades of manufacturing gas. A by-product is coal tar that has seeped deeply into the ground and continues to give off vapors that can be harmful to breathe. Under current environmental laws, liability for any harm remains forever with Columbia Gas, even if ownership of the property is transferred. Therefore, to avoid risk, the company has concluded that the building can never be occupied and the building and land can never be sold. Additionally, the company is interested in making pipeline improvements that would threaten the fragile building. Paul Exner, the NiSource environmental project manager from Massachusettes, reported the company had worked with “hundreds” of such sites and photos were shown of parklike spaces incorporating old stones from other buildings demolished by NiSource. In addition to asking why anyone would want to keep a building that can’t be occupied, the traveling Mr. Exner suggested the vista exiting Interstate would be improved by creating a green space rather than retaining the old building. Robert Innes, local Columbia Gas director of communications and community relations, reported the company wanted to create a green space, but had offered to save the old bricks for use in an exhibit and/or to offer for sale in funding raising for the Historic Petersburg Foundation. In response to questions from citizens, it was learned that the company had not considered pursuing funding for preservation or possible tax credits.

Among those attending were numerous individuals with experience in preserving and restoring historic buildings who offered to assist the company in more fully investigating these possibilities.

A news report of the meeting was published in the Progress Index.

Columbia Gas representatives present at the meeting were:

Robert C. Innes, Director, Communications and Community Relations – 804 768-6410 – rinnes@nisource.com

Paul Exner, Environment Project Manager – 508 836-7256 – pexner@nisource.com