Demolition of abandoned power plant starts next month

Dave Zajac | Record-Journal

The main building of the abandoned power plant on Meridens Cathole Mountain, Friday, July 26, 2013. (Dave Zajac/Record-Journal)

Published: December 25, 2013 | Last Modified: December 25, 2013 08:46PM

By Dan Brechlin Record-Journal staff

MERIDEN Demolition of the abandoned power plant atop Cathole Mountain will begin next month under an agreement between the city and the plants owner.

The city and NRG finalized a settlement over the abandoned power plant building on South Mountain Road earlier this month. It calls for NRG to begin demolition by Jan. 31 and complete the work by June 30. Since first proposed about 15 years ago, city officials and residents have been concerned about the visual impact of the 82-foot-tall structure.

In addition to the demolition, the city will receive $500,000 in two installments before June 30. Beginning in the 2014-15 fiscal year, the city will receive an annual tax payment of $71,886.96 from NRG after the fair market value of the property was set at $2.93 million. Meriden will keep $701,800 in performance bonds since work on the plant and surrounding property was not finished.

City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior said he is glad demolition will begin early next year.

We were pleased with the outcome of the (Connecticut Siting Council) hearings (and) relieved to bring this dispute with NRG to a satisfactory conclusion, Kendzior said.

NRG, doing business as Meriden Gas Turbines, owns the abandoned plant, which includes two buildings, a fuel tank and water tank on more than 36 acres. A 544-megawatt, natural gas-fired generating plant was planned, but financial problems and declining need for power generation halted the work.

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Demolition of abandoned power plant starts next month