FROM SUPERFUND SITE TO EMPLOYMENT SITE

FROM SUPERFUND SITE TO

EMPLOYMENT SITE

We are all familiar with the term superfund site or Brownfield as it is euphemistically referred to.  In 1939 Alcoa built an aluminum reduction plant in Troutdale to support the U.S. government’s efforts in World War II. Reynolds Aluminum leased the plant in 1945 and purchased it a year later.  It was operational until 2002 and provided at its peak over 1,000 jobs for East County residents. Three years later the smelter and adjacent properties were declared a Superfund site by the EPA due to hazardous industrial byproducts generated over the 60 years the smelter was operational. Alcoa, Port of Portland and the City of Troutdale worked in a collaborative effort to turn this Brownfield site into a major job center for the East Multnomah County community. It is because of the major investment of over $223m in remediation and development that this property will now generate over $46m in state and local taxes, more than 3500 jobs, and $141m in personal income and finally $218m in local purchases.

 

 

TROUTDALE REYNOLDS INDUSTRAL PARK

 

Alcoa, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the City of Troutdale, acknowledged the redevelopment potential of the site and moved ahead on a plan to preserve approximately half of the property as industrial land. State grant money was found to create an economic development action plan for the area.

Early and engaged cooperation from all parties helped to move the project from the National Priorities List to Consent Decree. Just four years after the plant closed, the site was ready for redevelopment. Superfund cleanup projects typically take up to minimum of 10 years or much longer because of litigation.

The Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park (TRIP) is now home to the new regional hub for Fed Ex that serves Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and parts of Western Montana. They are fully operational with over 700 employees with expected growth of 1,000 employees within five years and a $57m payroll.

The City of Troutdale wants to thank all of the partners involved in this successful venture and look forward to additional development within the ten remaining properties adjacent to Fed Ex Ground Service.