Deal close on Hagerstown toxic building

(AP) The city of Hagerstown is close to an agreement for cleaning up and demolishing an old electric plant filled with toxic PCBs and asbestos. The Herald-Mail reported in its Wednesday edition that the city would pay the owner of the former Municipal Electric Light Plant $650,000. If the City Council approves the deal next week, the red brick building along Antietam Creek could be gone by July and the city would take possession of the nearly 3-acre site. Mayor David Gysberts said negotiations with building owner Partners Marketing accelerated after the city began eminent domain proceedings to acquire the property in May. He said the building has been a public safety and environmental hazard for decades. It was built in 1928 and ceased continuous operations in 1972.