H.K. Porter Site Cleanup

The City of Huntington is moving forward with the cleanup and redevelopment of the 12-acre H.K. Porter industrial site, supported by a nearly $1 million federal grant.

Federal Support for Cleanup Efforts

On May 25, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded the city a $991,000 Brownfields Cleanup Grant. The funding will help remediate the contaminated site, demolish remaining structures, and support planning for future redevelopment.

Mayor Richard Strick emphasized the city's decade-long commitment to cleaning up the site:

“With this award and local funds, the City is able to remediate the remaining onsite materials and demolish the structures by the end of 2025. This next step will prepare the site for safe and productive reuse.”

Cleanup Scope and Process

Brownfield sites are properties where contamination has hindered redevelopment. At H.K. Porter, the EPA grant will be used to:

• Decontaminate interior surfaces
• Remove asbestos-laden dust
• Clear residual debris
• Demolish remaining buildings
• Remove concrete slabs from demolished structures

This cleanup will take place alongside demolition to streamline the process.

Community Engagement and Planning

Building on previous public input, the city has formed a Reuse Advisory Committee to gather more community feedback and explore potential redevelopment options.

Additional Funding and Timeline

In addition to the EPA grant, Huntington is committing $1.75 million in local funds.

The goal is to complete cleanup and prepare the site for redevelopment by 2026, pending no new contamination is found.

Long-Term Environmental Efforts

The city acquired the site in 2014 due to tax delinquency. Since then, key steps have included:

• Demolishing outbuildings
• Removing underground storage tanks
• Clearing hazardous materials
• EPA-led removal of three lead hotspots in 2023

The city’s 2015 EPA brownfield assessment application led to the site’s inclusion in the agency’s Emergency Response Program. Delayed by COVID-19, the EPA plans to replace soil at 11 neighboring homes due to elevated lead levels.

Contaminants Identified

Environmental testing at the site has identified several contaminants:

• Asbestos (main concern and still above safety limits)
• Lead
• Hexavalent chromium
• Benzene

Historical Context

Located in a residential area in east Huntington, the H.K. Porter site was home to a manufacturing facility operating from 1919 to 1999. Over the decades, it produced automotive parts using hazardous materials.

Ownership history:

• 1919 – Opened as Rapid Rim Co.
• 1924 – Sold to Asbestos Manufacturing Co.
• 1940s–1980s – Operated as H.K. Porter
• 1980s–1999 – Operated as Friction Materials
• 2001 – Sold at bankruptcy auction
• 2008 – Vacated after IDEM removed improperly stored hazardous materials

Site Deterioration and Safety Concerns

The site has suffered from neglect, vandalism, and in April 2022, a fire determined to be arson caused major structural damage.

Ongoing Partners and Support

The cleanup involves multiple agencies and partners:

• U.S. EPA
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
• Indiana Brownfields Program
• Keller Partners & Co.
• SME (engineering consultants)
• Indiana Congressional delegation

City Community Development Director Bryn Keplinger noted the site’s negative impact on nearby residents:

“It has long been a drain on city resources, the tax base, and quality of life—especially for residents who see it from their windows every day.”