The combined preliminary and final development plan of the Henkel Corp. to demolish and add on to its existing property in Delaware was approved unanimously by City Council during its meeting Monday, March 8.
Henkel, a Fortune Global 500 Company that employs 52,000 worldwide, plans to relocate a graphite processing facility from Port Huron, Mich., to its site in Delaware at 421 London Road.
Several existing buildings and tanks on the property, as well as portions of the main building, will be demolished and a new facility will be constructed in their place.
The new facility will be 34,375 square feet; when combined with the remaining building, the total size will equal 39,845 square feet. The facility will be located along the west property line, which is shared with the CSX railroad.
A separate waste storage facility will be built south of the existing main building and be 877 square feet. To accommodate this plan, the existing railroad spur nearby will be shortened.
With the expansion, Henkel intends to add six to 10 new jobs in Delaware and invest millions in construction, according to details in the proposal.
The plan was recommended by the city planning commission at its meeting March 3 and it was presented at this week's council meeting by David Efland, city planning director, who said he thought it was good to see a project such as this in 2010, given the country's economic situation.
"We're pleased to see this project get off the ground," Efland said. "This is a good proposal. It'll create jobs for the city."
Among other requirements, Henkel will pay a fee of $300 per tree in lieu of planting the required street trees. That fee will be placed in the Tree Bank Fund and used for reforestation on public property, including planting and maintenance.
According to a preliminary technical review by the department of engineering services, the project development will have "no appreciable impact on public streets" and require "no apparent need for roadway modifications." In addition, the existing sanitary lateral beneath the building will be abandoned and backfilled.
Third Ward council member Joe DiGenova praised Henkel's history in Delaware.
"They've been great for the city of Delaware," he said.
After approval by City Council, Mayor Gary Milner thanked Henkel for the investment.
Henkel was represented at the meeting by plant manager Robert Hough and Edward Hayes of Ventura Engineering.
Henkel is headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany, and is responsible for such products as Dial soap, Purex laundry detergent, Loctite adhesive and Right Guard antiperspirant.