SunCoke Plant - Planning Commission Vote - Event Date: Mar 26 2008

Should SunCoke be permitted to build a coke plant in Middletown?
Will SunCoke's plant really product no hazardous emissions?
Will we all have an electric bill benefit because the proposed plant will upload power to the electric grid, thus increasing supply?

Frank Schiavone a local resident whose property abuts the land in question, is concerned about the location of the coke plant being bad for 350 homes, his included.

Will property values for these homes drop by 50%?
Will the health of the residents be harmed?
Will the denial of this Coke Plant location harm AK Steel and potentially create an uncompetitive position that would ultimately put thousands of local residents out of work?


More information: AK Makes the Case for SunCoke

Discuss on The Voice of Monroe:
Coke Plant in Monroe's Backyard 
Council's latest attempt to decrease jobs and increase vacant houses

Bill Murphy, Middletown's city development director said the potential relationship between AK Steel and SunCoke could make the Middletown AK Steel plant a valuable asset for the company as a whole.

According to Murphy, AK Steel is Middletown's largest employer and contributes to the city significantly in terms of taxes.

Marty Kohler, Middletown's Planning director had this to say"We are hoping (this brings) more investment in the community, stable jobs, benefits to the school district, benefits to the city (and) benefits to the citizens."

"The plant would bring approximately 75 full-time jobs and nearly 500 construction jobs during the 18 month construction period," according to Murphy.

Murphy recognizes that it is important to help people understand that metallurgical coke is a new technology and SunCoke is considered a green energy technology by the Canadian government, according to Murphy.

There are a few residential homes alongside the property where the potential new plant would be located, including the home of Attorney Frank Shaivone who has spoken against this location.

Murphy said that everything will be done to create a buffer between the homes and the plant if city council affirms the decision.

"This is potentially a huge investment for Middletown and certainly we will make sure that we thoroughly investigate the technology and the plant and how it can integrated into the community," Murphy said.

I thought with the retirements, employees getting other jobs during the Lockout and not returning and then Management pulling out, AK fell to number 2 behind the hospital. 

John I am quoting your post "75 full time jobs" this is your post not mine.  I am not counting the construction jobs as they are only temporary.  At the other Sunoco Coke plants average salary was $45k per year.  Personally I would rather have 250-400 jobs paying $35-45K a year on 157 acres than just 75.  Not even taking into account the pollution.

How many jobs will be created to build the plant? How many jobs would be lost if AK fails to be competitive? Frank is an excellent speaker and makes his case well. I would consider him to represent me if the need arose.

"Local IAM International Union Representative", hardly an impartial person, you expect him to speak against this plant.....I think not.

The day will come when AK leaves the city and in their wake will be one of the biggest epa super fund cleanups that Ohio has ever seen.  AK is not the future of Middletown anymore.  Its work force has been cut 70-80%.  Its management moved to better digs and a better show place.  We hear the same story over and over, we need this to stay competitive, yet Ak is making record profits and Middletown begs for scraps.

The SunCoke facility will be built, regardless of the shortsighted efforts of the NIMBY group led by Frank Schiavone!!  It doesnt matter what the Middletown Planning Commission does or doesnt do, they are simply an advisory board....nothing more!!  Middletown City Council can approve this with or without the recommendation of the planning commission.  Middletown City Council has the votes to move this forward AND they will!!  Final vote in favor of the project will be 6-0!!  Middletown and most importantly AK Steel need this project in order to remain viable!!

What I find interesting is that in 1993 when Middletown annexed Garden Manor, Frank Schiavone did everything he could to have the boundary lines drawn around his property in order to live in Monroe.  Now he wants to dictate economic development policy for Middletown???  Cant have it both ways!!!!

NIMBY (not in my back yard) and a Bald Eagle, those are two of the funniest things I have ever seen on this forum.

Why would I want to listen to some impartial?

Ive never been inside the Schiavone home, but from Route 4 it appears to be quite an estate!!  Given the sudden decrease in value, I'd be interested in purchasing the home!!!  Wonder how long before the 4 sale sign goes up???

Frank Schiavone was shocked, "There was no discussion!"


Photo outside the Middletown City Building just after the Planning Commission unamimous Vote.

The white glove test didn't pass the sniff test. But it did get a chuckle.

Perry Thactcher went to the Havermil coke plant with the thought that it would be a dirty, nasty place.He and other councilpeople were given white gloves to wear while they were there."I did not expect to have white gloves at the end of the tour, but I did." said Mr. Thatcher