Cleanup plan for former Newark Chrysler plant

State environmental officials have announced details of their plan to clean up the former auto plant so it can be transformed into a science and tech campus for the University of Delaware.

From Chrysler cars and SUV’s to Army tanks, the assembly plant on South College Avenue has produced thousands of vehicles over the decades, but all that manufacturing has left some contaminants of concern (COC) according to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).  Those contaminants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and some pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).  

DNREC investigators also found a 400 square foot area filled with demolition debris about five and a half feet below the surface.  The area was apparently the former garage pit.

The state has outlined the cleanup plan for the site, which can be found on the state’s website at awm.delaware.gov.  A hearing on the remediation plan will be held on December 8 from 6 to 8 PM at Clayton Hall on the UD campus.  Comments on the plan will be accepted through December 13.

The University of Delaware purchased the facility after Chrysler closed it down.  The school has plans for a massive science and technology center on the site.  Demolition of the old structure got underway earlier this month.