Former Bethlehem Steel Plant

USA / New York / Lackawanna /
 factory, production, steelworks
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Constructed in the mid 20th Century as part of the sprawling Bethlehem Lackawanna Steel Mill, the Hamburg Mill's relative modernity when compared to its neighbor likely spared it the wrecking ball when Bethlehem Steel shut down operations in 1982.

Remaining in limited production under the control of a number of different Steel Manufacturers, the mill was purchased by Mittal Steel and production was increased for the first time in many years. Eventually employing 260 workers onsite and bolstering ancillary trades to service the mill, the facility seemed prime for growth when Mittal bought out its chief rival Arcelor in 2007. However, the worldwide economic downturn in 2008 forced the plant to be shut down on April 30th, 2008 and all employees laid off.

Efforts to entice other steel manufacturers to use the mill were met with only partial success, as Republic Steel's Engineered Products Divison purchased the Southern facility and presently operate a hot-rolled steel operation from the site. The Arcelor/Mittal portion of the mill remained vacant for the next two years and in December 2010 the Great Lakes Industrial Development LLC group announced it had acquired the former mill property and stated their intent to demolish the structure to make way for the development of a multi-tenant industrial park.

In November of 2016 a large fire broke out in the former Arcelor/Mittal building, fed by large amounts of recycled paper bales, pallets and stored vehicles. Damage to the building was severe.
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Coordinates:   42°48'20"N   78°50'26"W

Comments

  • There are actually two separate steel companies highlighted here. The northern mill, operated my AccelorMittal, did in fact shut operations in 2008. The southern, "U" shaped mill is Republic Engineered Products, Inc. and remains active.
  • Good call. Thanks for the info.
This article was last modified 8 years ago