February 22, 1995

A group of town and county officials donned hard hats and steel-toed shoes, and poked their way with flashlights through the darkened corridors of the dormant Avtex facility during a tour last Thursday morning.

Leading the procession was Fred Foster, president of the Warren County Redevelopment Corporation (WCRC), who has hopes of returning a portion of the EPA Superfund site to use by private companies within a year.

Foster and Stephen Heavener, executive director of the Industrial Development Authority, have been negotiating with the EPA for the release of approximately 300,000 - 400,000 square feet of building and land space to lure potential industrial firms into the area.

"It's the first time in EPA's history that they've ever even negotiated with anybody (about a Superfund site) to release a portion of it."

"It's a tremendous resource," Heavener said, entering a darkened corridor that leads to a large warehouse area of the plant.

Among the others exploring the innards of the former factory last Thursday were Front Royal Vice Mayor Tony Carter, Charles Pomeroy, Director of Public Utilities, and Supervisors Ashby Crowder and Donald McNeill.

While walking through a darkened former warehouse, illuminated by crisscrossing flashlight beams, Foster pointed to the concrete and steel girder construction as a key to the structure's desirability.

"I don't think you can build a building today the way these are constructed," he said. "The cost would be outrageous."

WCRC secretary Daniel Althouse was particularly impressed with the all-concrete roof. Although a steady drizzle leaked onto the floor from one spot, Althouse said the problem could be easily remedied.

Foster said the areas under negotiation include everything from manufacturing rooms and offices to outdoor parking areas along the western access to the plant along the railroad tracks. He said he envisioned potential for light industry and warehousing operations, among others.

Heavener said he's already been approached by one company interested in a small portion of the space, and said the IDA's role is one of bringing together such prospects with the owners.

Before that can happen, Foster said, an agreement must be hammered out between the EPA and Avtex's bankruptcy trustees.

Emerging into daylight once again after the tour, Crowder--who said this was his first trip inside the plant--said he's guardedly optimistic about the facility's prospects.

"It's a lot of space to be utilized," he said. "It's going to take a lot of work to get it ready, though."