Contaminated Site in Kennett Square ‘Offers 22 Acres of Potential to Impact Lives in a Positive Way’

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National Vulcanized Fibre (NVF) site, Kennett Square
Image via Southern Chester County Weeklies.
The former National Vulcanized Fiber site in Kennett Square.

The former National Vulcanized Fiber (NVF) site in Kennett Square is preparing to maximize its potential. Doing so involves facing several challenges, which it intends to do. Tara Smith covered the site’s future for Southern Chester County Weeklies.

The 22-acre property was once home to one of the largest vulcanized fiber factories in the U.S. Vulcanized fiber was used in manufacturing everything from household items to camera parts to circuit boards.

That latter capability saw Kennett Square producing a large percentage of the world’s supply of boards during the computer boom.

Decades later, National Vulcanized Fiber filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

In 2009, the property was acquired by Delaware Valley Development Corporation.

The factory left the site contaminated with Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and zinc. But once cleaned, the land’s options for use are numerous.

“When it’s declared ready for redevelopment, this 22-acre tract of land between Mulberry Street and the railroad tracks will connect to the town’s street grid, as well as to the trail system, and offer 22 acres of potential to impact people’s lives in a positive way,” said Historic Kennett Square Executive Director Bo Wright.

Read more about the National Vulcanized Fiber site from Southern Chester County Weeklies.

This short documentary takes a look at the historic property of one of the NVF factories in Delaware, and its effects on the surrounding environment, video by that One Kind of Nerdy Guy on YouTube.

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