THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
DANVILLE — Demolition continues on the former Quaker Oats plant in Danville as the future of the site remains uncertain.
According to the company, “After careful evaluation, the decision was made to demolish the Quaker facility in Danville, and then sell the property. We are working closely with government officials to minimize any disruption to the community.”
Quaker Oats and its parent company, PepsiCo, in April announced the Danville facility would close in June. The demolition of the facility was announced in August, and work began in September.
According to the company, solar fields on site will remain intact as an option for the future owner.
“The finished project is estimated to complete next year and will include final grading of the site for storm drainage, spreading topsoil and seed, and building a fencing perimeter,” according to company officials.
Vermilion Advantage CEO/President Mike Marron didn’t have anything else new to report with the site.
As demolition continues, local officials continue to stay in touch with PepsiCo officials.
Local officials have talked about the city of Danville, Vermilion Advantage or another local entity having control of the property to be able to redevelop it.
“Those discussions continue to take place,” Marron said.
Since the 55-year-old Quaker Oats plant along Voorhees Street in Danville was closed in June, after a salmonella product recall and seeing more than 500 employees lose their jobs, PepsiCo announced the closure of four U.S. Pepsi bottling plants, including in Chicago, to streamline operations.
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