COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Eliminating the decades-long eyesore on Coldwater’s south side that is the former Midwest Foundry site is set to begin at the end of August. The Coldwater City Council last night approved an agreement with the property owner, the Marmon Group, to lease the land for one dollar and use it for a Coldwater Board of Public Utilities solar energy field project.
The resolution passed by the Council ends a stalemate with Marmon which the City has been in negotiations with for 3-and-a-half years to resolve the issue that has been a cloud over that area of Coldwater’s First Ward since the Foundry closed in 1989. Coldwater Mayor Tom Kramer said the agreement represents a lot of work by a lot of people and will result in a useful piece of land for the community and the environment. There had been hopes the property one day could be used as a green space or recreation area but City Manager Jeff Budd said environmental consultants agreed there’s nothing else that could be done with the land.
Coldwater BPU Director Paul Beckhusen said the solar panels will produce one-and-a-half megawatts of energy, or roughly enough electricity for 100 homes in the city. From a power supply perspective, Beckhusen said while it is not the most economical option available, it is a benefit to the site and it helps the utility meet its requirements for renewable energy and then some since solar in Michigan has a four time multiplier effect in credits for renewable resources.
Pending the signing of the final agreement by Marmon and several minor revisions, the solar panel construction will start a month from now and depending on weather conditions, be finished at the end of January.
