Exide releases demolition plans for Frisco plant: Public information meeting to take place Dec. 12

Demolition of the Exide Technologies' lead-acid battery recycling plant in Frisco will involve several safety precautions to prevent the spread of potentially harmful material. Photo courtesy of Exide.

Additionally, the company has announced a public meeting will take place regarding the plant's demolition. That meeting will take place 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Frisco Heritage Center's depot.

Frisco Mayor Maher Maso noted the city won't be involved in the meeting, but said he was happy residents will have a chance to learn about the demolition directly from Exide.

According to the demolition plan, which is dated Nov. 9, a site-specific health and safety plan is being put in place for the duration of the demolition. Dust control and air monitoring are included as part of the overall health and safety plan.

The plans were created by Pastor, Behling & Wheeler, an engineering consulting firm, and Remediation Services, a remediation contractor specializing in environmental services.

Mack Borchardt, the city's fire programs consultant and special assistant to the city manager, will oversee the plant's demolition on the city's behalf.

"I will be visiting the site periodically, and we have weekly meetings scheduled [between the city and Exide]," Borchardt said. "We could vary those meetings based on the schedule, with more frequent meetings in times of higher activity or dropping some meetings when we're on a fairly routine pace, but I expect we'll be meeting at least once a week."

Borchardt also noted the city has an open dialogue with Exide, saying the two sides "know each other," which should make the demolition process easier.

"The project is actually ahead of schedule right now -- we're glad to see that," he said.

Many of the preparations for actually tearing down structures and equipment have already begun, although the demolition itself has yet to take place. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will monitor the demolition once it begins.

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Exide releases demolition plans for Frisco plant: Public information meeting to take place Dec. 12