(KAIR)--A former industrial property along Atchison's riverfront is moving closer to redevelopment following action Monday evening by the Atchison City Commission.
Commissioners approved an agreement to demolish the former Maczuk Industries property at 800 River Road, with the work expected to come at no direct cost to the city.
Under the agreement, contractor Rick Stanton, of Skidmore, Missouri, will demolish the buildings and remove storage tanks in exchange for the scrap materials recovered from the site.
City Manager Mark Westhoff said clearing the property has been a priority as the city considers future uses for the riverfront location.
"This was a priority of the city commission to try to get this site level so that we can redevelop it," Westhoff said. "I don't know that we're going to get a better deal than zero dollars."
Maczuk Industries operated at the city-owned property from 1971 until December 2025. Westhoff said the company's removal of remaining materials from the site is nearly complete.
Westhoff also told commissioners that environmental testing conducted in 2021 found no heavy-metal contamination requiring additional remediation before redevelopment.
While no specific plans have been announced for the property, Westhoff said the city's goal is to move away from its former industrial use and pursue development more compatible with the riverfront.
The demolition agreement passed with four commissioners voting in favor. Commissioner Mike Slattery abstained, citing a previous connection to involved parties.
Meanwhile, ongoing street improvements and other construction projects were among the updates Westhoff provided commissioners Monday evening.
Street paving has experienced several delays, with rain and cold temperatures interrupting work last week and repairs to the contractor's asphalt plant preventing paving Monday.
Westhoff said the contractor expected to resume work Tuesday and could bring as many as two paving crews into Atchison to take advantage of favorable weather and make up for lost time.
Streets that have already been milled are expected to receive new asphalt overlays as paving continues.
Work was also expected to begin this week on the First Street connection between Riley and Mound streets.
Elsewhere, construction continues on the skate park at Reisner Park, where crews are working on the concrete features, including the bowl.
At the wastewater treatment plant, reconstruction of the biotower remains underway, with completion targeted before winter weather arrives.
Westhoff also reported progress on the South Headworks sewer project, where underground boring operations have begun. The work will eventually require around-the-clock operations as crews bore beneath railroad tracks, a requirement imposed by the railroad.
The updates came as the city continues several major infrastructure projects involving streets, recreational facilities and wastewater improvements.
