Eyes Progress on Macomb Inn Property
The City of Macomb is moving forward with plans to remediate two long-neglected sites—the former Haeger Pottery plant and the old Macomb Inn—both currently undevelopable.
Mayor Mike Inman said last week the city will apply this fall for a federal EPA grant to clean up the “brownfield” at the Haeger site on West Calhoun Street. “The grant would cover the entire remediation and likely part of the redevelopment of that park,” Inman said. “It’s an ideal solution.”
The property, owned by the Estes family, still holds rubble from the pottery plant. The city aims to clear the site and convert it into a public park.
Contaminants found at the site are under analysis, but Inman said current information suggests they can be safely removed. A challenge is that the grant requires a public health corporation or nonprofit to take ownership of the land. “The overriding concern is that if the grant is not funded, the property would have to revert to the original owner,” Inman said. “The city cannot and will not take on the brownfield cleanup burden for local taxpayers.”
Inman said the city hopes to begin work as early as next spring. “Maybe by this time next year, we’ll have a green space there. Sooner is better—it’s been a long time coming.”
Macomb Inn site remains tied up in court Remediation of the former Macomb Inn site on North Lafayette Street has been stalled in circuit court since early this year. The property’s owners, Western Macomb Apartments LLC of Evansville, Indiana, are being ordered by the city to bring the site up to code.
“We hope to see work underway soon to comply with our unified development code, or else we will take possession and plan to demolish it,” Inman said.
He acknowledged public frustration with the slow progress. “We know people are anxious and want resolution. It’s a process, and we’re doing our due diligence. We hope for positive outcomes, but we understand the impatience.”
