LYNDONVILLE, Vt. (WCAX) – A former Lyndonville industrial site is poised for redevelopment after sitting vacant for nearly a decade.
Daniel Perry has lived in Lyndonville since he was a little kid and remembers when the old Kennametal tap and die manufacturing plant closed in 2014.
“They had a lot of jobs for people in town,” said Perry, who worked as a security guard and has long wondered what would come next for the Main Street property. “Parking could be one. If you’re not going to allow other development there, then maybe some shelters or housing.”
Now, the property’s owners are working to have the site cleaned up as a part of the brownfield redevelopment process. The Lyndon Selectboard is contemplating whether the town should take it over and work with a new developer.
The project is expected to cost well over a million dollars but Vermont Economic Development Commissioner Joan Goldstein says assistance is available. “Brownfields are difficult, I would say, yes. But there is help along the way. Our goal is to put these properties back into productive use. I would say over the last couple of years we have prioritized housing,” she said.
Some locals have other ideas for the site. “I would love to see a recreation facility for youth sports, some sort of a multi-complex,” said Justin Brittell of West Burke.
Construction on the property is expected to last for the next couple of weeks.