A private company is preparing to make an offer to purchase the vacant and environmentally-troubled Farmland Industries plant east of Lawrence.

Members of TRC Companies Inc. – a national consulting firm that specializes in cleaning up environmentally-blighted properties – confirmed this morning they are close to making an offer to purchase the 467-acre former fertilizer plant along Kansas Highway 10 near the East Hills Business Park. The plant closed in 2001 when it became embroiled in Farmland’s bankruptcy.

David Miller, a senior program manager for TRC, said the company didn’t have specific plans for how the property ultimately would be redeveloped. Instead, he said his company specializes in removing the environmental risks associated with a property so that it can be sold on the open market to private investors.

“One of the driving principles behind this approach is we’re not going in and saying this is what the property needs to be,” said Tim Daugherty, a former Farmland employee who is helping facilitate the deal. “We’re saying the No. 1 goal is to clean up the property and then work hand and hand with all the stakeholders to determine the best use for the property.”

This office building along with two warehouses on the former Farmland Industries fertilizer plant property is on the market for lease.

Miller declined to comment on a price TRC was willing to offer for the property. Since the site is part of a bankruptcy proceeding, any sale would involve a public auction. But the auction does not begin until someone steps forward to make a formal offer.

Both Douglas County commissioners and Lawrence city commissioners have discussed making an offer for the property. They have expressed concern about whether the private sector would adequately clean the site. They’ve also indicated they would like the property to be used as an industrial park. Some members of the private sector have expressed an interest in using it for a mixed-use development that would include industrial, commercial and residential uses.

County Commissioner Charles Jones said he believed the city and county were still strongly committed to seeing the property used only for industrial purposes. He said he was pleased the private sector had an interest in the property, but would rely on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to assure that the company has the credentials to adequately deal with the environmental issues.

Miller also offered no specific timeline on when the property could be cleaned up.

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