A health firm that serves 13 hospitals and other health care facilities in northwestern Pennsylvania this week signed an agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection that will pave the way for the company to move into the former Talon Plant #7.

Vantage Holding Co. LLC plans to develop the site as its corporate headquarters and move about 120 of its 300 employees there. The facility has been empty since the early 1990s when pioneering zipper manufacturer Talon ceased local operations.

The property covers approximately 14 acres on Meadville’s South Main Street, including a 66,000-square-foot building.

“The agreement ensures the building and surrounding land will be reused in an environmentally safe manner, which will help breathe new life into this high profile property,” said DEP Regional Director Kelly Burch. “For almost 80 years, this property was a major contributor to the local economy. Vantage is now prepared to begin a new chapter in its history, which will help Meadville continue its economic growth.”

The agreement establishes property-use limitations, such as prohibiting the use of groundwater and requiring that new buildings be constructed without basements.

Property-use limitations, such as those being used on this site, are common to ensure brownfield properties are reused safely.

Under the agreement, the indoor air quality of all buildings must be tested or modeled before being occupied to show that the building meets DEP requirements.

Talon began manufacturing boilers at the facility in 1910. In 1932, Talon started manufacturing zippers there. In addition, the company operated a waste treatment plant, waste disposal lagoon, and drum storage areas on the property.

After Talon ceased operations in the early 1990s, the waste water treatment area, treatment plant and lagoons were cleaned up by Coats American, the successor to Talon.

In 2001, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Meadville began site investigations and worked with DEP to complete remediation efforts. The property is designated as Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Vantage is a for-profit company that serves a partnership of 13 non-profit hospitals, providing medical equipment and services to its member facilities. The company plans to locate its pharmacy, home infusion services, mobile services, and administration and corporate offices at the Talon site.

For more information, visit DEP’s Land Recycling webpage.

5/9/2008