Department of Defense
Government Owned Contractor Operated Sites
(GOCO)
Air Force Plant 85
Located 6 miles northeast of downtown Columbus, Ohio in Franklin County, just south of Port Columbus International Airport. The plant occupies nearly 300 acres which, except for office space currently occupied by the Defense Finance and Accounting Services, has been vacated since 1994. Historically the plant was used in the production of naval aircraft for World War II. These operations were performed by the Curtiss-Wright Corp. until 1950 when the U.S. Navy took title to the plant. The plant was then renamed the Naval Industrial Reserve Aircraft Plant. At that time, North American Aviation (Rockwell International) took over plant operations for the production and testing of naval aircraft and missile systems. In 1982, the Navy transferred title of the plant to the U.S. Air Force. After 1982, Rockwell International produced parts at the plant for production of the B-1B bomber aircraft. From 1988 to 1994, McDonnell-Douglas utilized the plant for the production of aircraft parts. Through a bidding process the Air Force sold the plant to a local investment group lead by Schottensteins Stores Corporation in 1997. Proceeds from the sale will go directly into environmental investigations and cleanup at the plant. Plant renovations to accommodate various warehousing and aircraft industries are ongoing.
Various past plant operations involving aircraft manufacturing occurred at this site. These operations include machining, metal finishing, electroplating, forming, painting, coating, and assembly. Wastes produced from these activities include acids for metal cleaning and electroplating, process tank sludge's, cyanide wastes, chromium solutions, lime sludge, spent degreasers, and paint strippers. Process wastewater was treated at an on-site wastewater treatment plant. From 1941 to 1977 a Fire Training Area was used to burn waste oil, solvents, and aviation fuels in training exercises. In addition, waste solvents and sludge were also collected and disposed off-site. There are 12 sites identified at the plant where potential environmental concerns may exist. Additional areas are designated for investigation as determined by Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS) completed in 1994 and 1996.
The Air Force has completed significant cleanup activities at the plant. Prior to the sale of the plant, manufacturing and process area equipment were removed and cleaned. Numerous PCB transformers have been removed, retrofitted, and cleaned. Two PCB spill sites (Site 3 and 11) have been cleaned up. The US Geological Survey completed a site wide hydrogeological investigation. The Air Force is committed to continue further investigations and cleanup at remaining EBS identified areas which include: various former underground storage tank sites, process areas, septic and sewer systems, transformers, fire training area, and Mason’s Run.
For environmental queries contact:
Dan Tjoelker
Ohio EPA CDO/DERR
3232 Alum Creek Drive
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43207-3417
(614) 728-3836
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