Wiktor Wise
The Western Electric Company-Tarheel Army Missile Plant is an abandoned industrial complex located in Burlington, North Carolina. The site was previously used for manufacturing and assembly, playing a key role in developing missile guidance systems for the military. The Western Electric site has changed hands several times since its initial construction in 1927, with multiple private owners and periods of vacancy. The site has been contaminated with chemicals, leading to environmental remediation efforts and plans for redevelopment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Approximately two miles east of downtown Burlington's commercial district in Alamance County, North Carolina |
| Area | 22 acres according to the City of Burlington; 32 acres according to Wikipedia |
| Number of Buildings | 22 buildings according to the City of Burlington; 23 buildings according to Wikipedia |
| Ownership | Owned by the US Department of Defense from 1942 to 2004; subsequently had four different private property owners |
| Use | Research, engineering, production, and refurbishment of missile systems and components for the US Army |
| Current Status | Abandoned; contaminated with chemicals like trichloroethylene leaked into the groundwater |
| Redevelopment | The City of Burlington is working with involved parties to get the site cleaned up and redeveloped |
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What You'll Learn
- The Western Electric site in Burlington, NC, is contaminated with trichloroethylene
- The site was previously known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant
- The US Department of Defense owned the site from 1942 to 2004
- The site has been in the hands of four different private property owners since 2004
- The City of Burlington is working with involved parties to clean up and redevelop the site
The Western Electric site in Burlington, NC, is contaminated with trichloroethylene
The Western Electric site in Burlington, North Carolina, was once a bustling industrial complex, playing a crucial role in the development of missile guidance systems for the military. However, it now sits abandoned, contaminated with chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), which has leaked into the groundwater. TCE is a known carcinogen and can cause serious health issues, including headaches, skin irritation, and long-term effects on the liver and kidneys.
The site, also known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant, was owned by the Department of Defense from 1942 to 2004. It consists of approximately 22 buildings spread over 22 acres within the city limits of Burlington. After changing hands several times, the site has become a "superfund" clean-up site, with the Army Environmental Command, the NC Department of Environmental Quality, and the Army Corps of Engineers taking charge of testing, monitoring, and remediation.
A consultant's report released in May 2023 revealed extensive data on the residual contamination at the site. The report, compiled by Terracon Consultants, indicated high levels of trichloroethylene and other chemicals in the soil and groundwater. Trichloroethylene was once used as an industrial solvent for cleaning metal parts. The contamination is believed to have occurred over the years due to leaks from various waste disposal and waste transfer activities.
The cleanup process at the Western Electric site is complex due to the multiple parties involved and the absence of imminent development plans from the current owner. The City of Burlington is working with all stakeholders to facilitate the site's cleanup and eventual redevelopment. The community is also actively engaged in the process, with a citizen advisory board being formed to provide input and ensure transparency in decision-making.
The Western Electric site in Burlington, NC, is a stark example of the challenges posed by contaminated industrial sites. The presence of trichloroethylene and other hazardous substances underscores the importance of thorough environmental assessments, remediation, and community engagement to address the issues and transform the site into a safe and vibrant space once again.
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The site was previously known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant
The site in Burlington, North Carolina, was previously known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant (TAMP) when it was owned by the US Department of Defense (DoD) between 1942 and 2004. Built in 1927, the plant was initially a synthetic fabric rayon manufacturing plant for the A.M. Johnson Rayon Mills, Inc. However, due to challenges in marketing their rayon product to textile weaving plants in the area, the plant underwent a change in management and was renamed Carolina Rayon Mills, Inc. Despite these efforts, the plant closed in November 1931 and remained mostly vacant until 1942.
After World War II, in 1958, the DoD leased the plant to the Western Electric Company for research, engineering, and production of missile systems and components. During this period, the plant was under the operational control of the US Army's MICOM, a major subcommand of DARCOM. The focus on missile systems and components was particularly crucial during the Cold War, with nearly 4,000 people working at the plant in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Western Electric Company conducted top-secret research and developed Nike missile guidance systems on behalf of the DoD. These activities, however, left a significant environmental and public health impact, with dangerous contaminants discovered in the groundwater surrounding the site. As a result, the site has become a "superfund" clean-up site, with efforts led by the DoD and David Tsui, the current property owner, to address both underground and above-ground contamination.
The complex, spread over 32 acres, currently houses the Good Samaritan Super Thrift Store. The City of Burlington is working with all involved parties to facilitate the site's cleanup and eventual redevelopment, with the goal of revitalising a major commercial and residential neighbourhood that has been blighted by the abandoned and polluted buildings and grounds.
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The US Department of Defense owned the site from 1942 to 2004
The Western Electric site in Burlington, North Carolina, was owned by the US Department of Defense (DoD) from 1942 to 2004. Known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant during this time, the site played a key role in developing missile guidance systems for the military.
The history of the site dates back to 1927 when it was a synthetic fabric rayon manufacturing plant for the A.M. Johnson Rayon Mills, Inc. The plant closed in 1931, and the site remained mostly vacant until it was acquired by the DoD in 1942. During World War II, the DoD leased the site to the Fairchild Engines and Airplane Corporation for aircraft production. In 1944, Fairchild was replaced by Firestone Tires, which occupied the site until 1946. That year, the DoD leased the facility to Western Electric, which used it for consumer electronics production and, increasingly, military contracts. By 1951, Western Electric had phased out civilian production entirely and focused on defence-related commissions, such as the manufacture of ground-based guidance systems and other components for the US Army's Nike missiles.
The Western Electric site consists of 22 to 23 buildings spread over approximately 22 to 32 acres within Burlington's city limits. The site has been in the hands of multiple private owners since the DoD divested itself of the property in 2004. It has since fallen into disuse and become a source of pollution, with chemicals like trichloroethylene leaking into the groundwater. The City of Burlington is working with all involved parties to clean up and redevelop the site, which is now considered a "superfund" clean-up site due to the presence of dangerous contaminants.
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The site has been in the hands of four different private property owners since 2004
The Western Electric site in Burlington, North Carolina, has changed hands several times since 2004, when it was sold by the US Department of Defense (DoD) after being known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant (TAMP) for over six decades.
The site, which consists of 22 buildings and occupies approximately 22 acres within the city limits of Burlington, has since been in the possession of four different private property owners. The current owner has no plans for development, which is a crucial aspect of the DoD's remediation plans. The identity of the four private owners is not publicly available, but their ownership has been marred by issues.
The current owner, for example, was deemed ineligible for a brownfields agreement by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) due to their history of "defrauding government programs in violation of federal criminal and civil statutes." This agreement would have provided the owner with protection against prior environmental pollution liabilities and potentially financial assistance.
The Western Electric site has become a "superfund" clean-up site, with PFAS and other dangerous contaminants discovered in the groundwater. Local community advocates are pushing for a thorough clean-up of the site, and the City of Burlington is working with all involved parties to achieve this goal and eventually redevelop the property.
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The City of Burlington is working with involved parties to clean up and redevelop the site
The Western Electric site in Burlington, North Carolina, is an abandoned industrial complex that has a long history of manufacturing and defence production. The site was once known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant and was owned by the US Department of Defense from 1942 to 2004. During this time, the plant played a crucial role in developing missile guidance systems for the military. After changing hands multiple times, the site now sits abandoned, with polluted buildings and grounds that blight a major commercial and residential neighbourhood in Burlington.
The City of Burlington is working diligently with involved parties to clean up and redevelop the Western Electric site. They have recognised the site's history and its impact on the community, and they are committed to transforming it into an asset for the city once again. The city does not own the property, but that has not deterred them from taking proactive steps toward its revitalisation. One of the critical aspects of this endeavour is the collaboration with all stakeholders, ensuring that the process is transparent and community-oriented.
Burlington's Federal Opportunity Zones (FOZ) initiative has provided tax and investment incentives to spur redevelopment. Additionally, the city has actively sought grants, such as the Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant, to develop a community-based vision for the property. This grant facilitated on-site tours, stakeholder input, presentations on the cleanup process, and analysis of the site's development potential. The city has also worked closely with elected officials and the Secretary of the Army to elevate the site's status and secure additional resources for the cleanup process.
The Western Electric site's contamination is a significant concern, and multiple organisations are involved in its remediation. The US Army's Environmental Command, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), and the Army Corps of Engineers are working together to test, monitor, and remediate the site. The contamination includes chemicals like trichloroethylene, which has leaked into the groundwater and can cause health issues for residents in the surrounding area. The DoD is actively involved in the environmental remediation process, recognising the complexity of having multiple responsible parties and the absence of imminent development plans from the current owner.
The City of Burlington is committed to being a partner in the remediation and revitalisation process. They understand the importance of this site to the community and are actively engaging with various organisations to determine the future of the property. The city has expressed its desire to revitalise east Burlington, and the Western Electric site plays a pivotal role in these plans. While the cleanup process is ongoing, the city is also focused on the end goal of redeveloping the site to benefit the community and revitalise the neighbourhood.
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Frequently asked questions
The Western Electric site in Burlington, NC, was a manufacturing plant that was built in 1927. It was initially a synthetic fabric rayon manufacturing plant for the A.M. Johnson Rayon Mills, Inc. After the company failed to market its rayon product, the plant was renamed the Carolina Rayon Mills, Inc. However, financial troubles persisted, and the plant closed in November 1931. From 1942 until 2004, the site was owned by the US Department of Defense (DoD) and was known as the Tarheel Army Missile Plant. During this period, it played a crucial role in developing missile guidance systems for the military. Since 2004, the site has been in the hands of multiple private owners and is currently abandoned.
The Western Electric site in Burlington, NC, is currently abandoned and polluted. It has been designated as a "superfund" clean-up site due to the presence of dangerous contaminants, such as PFAS, in the groundwater. The site has become a priority for environmental remediation, with the Army's Environmental Command, the NC Department of Environmental Quality, and the Army Corps of Engineers taking steps to test, monitor, and remediate the contamination.
The City of Burlington is working with various parties to clean up and redevelop the Western Electric site. They have included the property in Burlington's Federal Opportunity Zones (OZ) to attract tax and investment incentives for redevelopment. The city has also worked with the American Institute of Architects to obtain a Sustainable Design Assessment Team Grant to develop a community-based vision for the property. Additionally, they are seeking community input on how the site can be cleaned up and repurposed for public use.
The remediation of the Western Electric site is complex due to the involvement of multiple responsible parties and the lack of development plans from the current owner. The DoD typically requires development plans to create remediation plans, but the current owner has no imminent intentions for development. Additionally, the owner was denied a brownfields agreement by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) due to their history of defrauding government programs.
