BIDDEFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The Biddeford City Council will vote on Tuesday whether to purchase the Maine Energy Recovery Company waste plant commonly called MERC.
Maine Energy, a Casella Company, wants to sell the plant... And the city wants a say in what happens to that property.
Casella's proposed contract with the city for $6.6 million includes slowly closing the plant within six months, and completely demolishing the area minus the stack.
Biddeford's Mayor, Alan Casavant, says the stack is under a contract with wireless carriers and bring in $150,000 in revenue. He is unsure how long it will stay standing.
Casavant also says, "Worst case scenario, if nothing happens to that area [after the city purchases it] Over the course of 20 years it will cost tax payers 1600 dollars, but we've already had calls for redevelopment."
And the revenue that comes from that redevelopment -- the mayor believes will offset costs to tax payers and give the 70 to 80 plant workers new jobs.
Casavant says he is optimistic the proposal will pass and bring business to both Biddeford and Saco.
NEWS CENTER