Posted on Sunday, 28th March 2010 by Laura Hernandez
HENDERSON, Ky. Henderson’s mothballed Station One power plant, a 60-year-old landmark on Water Street that in recent years has been seen as both an obstacle to and an opportunity for the city’s ongoing riverfront redevelopment, might go up for sale.
The Henderson Utility Commission on Monday evening went into closed executive session to discuss the possible sale of Station One. State law permits public agencies to discuss the sale or purchase of real estate behind closed doors if publicity of the discussions would likely affect the value of the property.
“We are in the process of looking at different ways to dispose of the property,” utility commission Chairman Dr. Bill Smith said beforehand concerning Station One.
The Station One property extends along the river for more than one city block, from the CSX railroad bridge at Fourth Street to just beyond Fifth Street.
Henderson Municipal Power and Light closed Station One in September 2008, citing the rising costs of operating the aging power plant and a growing roster of environmental regulations that discouraged its ongoing use. Most of the city’s power comes from its much bigger Station Two plant near Sebree.
Henderson Municipal Power and Light closed Station One in September 2008, citing the rising costs of operating the aging power plant and a growing roster of environmental regulations that discouraged its ongoing use. Most of the city’s power comes from its much bigger Station Two plant near Sebree.
Later, its auditor reported that HMP&L will need more than $1 million to remove asbestos and lead paint from the old power plant. There might also be environmental issues associated with the coal pile outside the building where tons of fuel has been stored over the decades.
Aside from once providing the city with a secondary source of power, Station One has had a second duty: Pumping river water across the street to Henderson Water Utilities’ water treatment plant, which is the city’s source of potable water.
Station One has been seen by some as an obstacle to riverfront development, presenting a barrier between Sunset Park at Third Street and Redbanks Park at Sixth Street.
But the University of Kentucky College of Design, where architecture students have studied this community as part of its Henderson Project, more recently has shown interest in the aesthetics of the post-war era power plant building.
In other matters before the utility commission:
- IRS ruling: The board authorized Chairman Smith to sign documents related to HMP&L requesting an Internal Revenue Service ruling that a planned municipal bond for repairs at Station Two be declared tax-free. A ruling is expected in three to six months, General Manager Gary Quick reported.
- Training: Human Resources Manager Ken Christopher reported that dozens of HMP&L employees have undergone training in areas ranging from Microsoft Office software to CPR to management.
- Surplus transformers: The board agreed to declare 23 damaged electrical transformers as surplus so they can put up for sale through sealed bids.
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