Site of Former Fort Wayne, Indiana, Recycling Plant is Sold for $600,000

Jun. 30–Nearly 20 years after a fire that caused the evacuation of thousands of people, the former I.J. Recycling property was sold for $600,000.

On Wednesday, county commissioners approved the sale of the property to Dar Highlen, owner of Dar’s outdoor furniture store, just across Clinton Street from the former recycling plant.

The county acquired the land at 3651 N. Clinton St. after a fire in 1986 that forced the evacuation of a 20-block area around the plant, including nearby Glenbrook Square.

The plant, located in a densely populated area near where Clinton Street and Coldwater Road converge, recycled hazardous waste.

The fire closed the business and contaminated the ground under the plant, causing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to begin a cleanup that took 16 years and $9 million.

The county placed the property on the market in March 2004. Because of its proximity to Glenbrook, it could be a valuable piece of commercial property.

The News-Sentinel could not reach Highlen to find out what his plans are for the property.

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