Alderman urges city to help Aluminum Castings relocate within Galesburg

Despite a statement last week by the president of Aluminum Castings saying the company will move to Peoria before relocating in Galesburg, Alderman Peter Schwartzman, Ward 5, said in a news release Monday afternoon the City Council should help the company find a new location in Galesburg and provide financial support for the move.

The first reading of a City Council resolution to allow Aluminum Castings to produce heavy industrial work in its building zoned for light industrial was met with opposition by Schwartzman and a number of citizens. Aluminum Castings President Brett Markum said last week the company has invested too heavily in its current building to consider relocating in Galesburg, including a $1 million piece of equipment to modernize the facility.

The company has planned a $2 million expansion of its facilities at 340 N. Kellogg St. Markum said the expansion could increase the workforce to 50 employees from 30, up from 26 in February.

In an interview with The Register-Mail, Schwartzman said he was unaware Aluminum Castings had been in contact with the city over the planned expansion and the need for rezoning. Schwartzman said he understands that including aldermen in the talks would have necessitated a public forum per state laws, but said he is concerned about the sequence of events. Schwartzman said the request to rezone came after Aluminum Castings made known that it was in the process of doubling with the expansion. He said he still isn’t sure which occurred first: the expansion or the talks to rezone.

“It’s disingenuous (of Aluminum Castings) to claim they have to move,” Schwartzman said. “They shouldn’t assume zoning formations are just a formality.”

The alderman said there is another option, however.

“In our city there are a number of facilities not in use that are zoned for heavy industry, the zoning required by (Aluminum Castings),” he said. “I am sure some of these would be much more ideal for Aluminum Castings, more protective of the young people of Galesburg, and more considerate of the many businesses in Galesburg’s downtown area. Thus, I strongly encourage all of us on the City Council to assist (the company) in finding a location more suitable to future expansion and provide the financial support necessary to make a move economically desirable.”

Markum said earlier concerns over emissions and pollution are overblown and that the company employs an environmental consulting firm that ensures the facility is up to date on state Environmental Protection Agency standards. He said the primary materials used in the main molding process are sand, clay and water.

The resolution, recommended for approval by the city’s planning and zoning commission, Thompson and Community Development Director Roy Parkin, will come before the council on second (final) reading on June 18.