CDC part of the History…
Pullman-Standard Business Park Expansion
On the morning commute to work, on the way to shop at Pullman Plaza, or to bank at the Armco Credit Union the sites and sounds of redevelopment and history in the making are loud and clear.
The history of the Pullman-Standard Business Park Expansion begins in January of 1902 with the construction of the Standard Steel Car Company. In 1908 Standard Steel Car Company deeded the east end of the property to two subsidiaries, Butler Bolt and Rivet Company and Butler Car Wheel Company. The automobile called the Standard Six was produced on this site in 1916 and again in 1918 with the Standard Eight. The production of automobiles came to an end for Standard when they sold their automobile production to the American Bantam Car Company in 1921. During the harsh times of World War I, Standard’s production efforts were now focused on explosive artillery shells, and over 7,650 military railcars such as, gunner railcars, anti-aircraft railcars, armored railcars, staff railcars and commissary rail cars.
In 1929 Standard Steel Car Company merged with Pullman Incorporated now giving the site the ability to make its own steel and Pullman-Standard was born. When the United States joined the World War II effort in 1941 Pullman-Standard expanded its production to include rockets and 500 pound bombs. Pullman-Standard was a strong and thriving company until it was taken over by Wheelabrator-Frye in 1980 and was divided into two separate entities called M.W. Kellog, the company’s engineering division and Pullman Incorporated. It wasn’t long until the site was sold and changed hand yet again. In 1984 the property was purchased by Trinity Industries. The Pullman-Standard era lasted from 1902 until 1981 when the plant closed and left 3,000 employees out of work.
The Community Development Corporation is now the current owner of the site and closed with the bank on July 11, 2005 as a pivotal first step in the revitalization of the City of Butler. In the fall of 2005 Demolition and remediation began at the former Trinity Industries Brownfield site. Now as we enter into the summer of 2008 the building demolition and remediation is complete and demolition of the mass amounts of concrete is underway. Land sales of the site are projected to start this August to yet again be the home of thriving companies, manufactures and distributers.
The Community Development Corporation is proud to be part of the history this site possesses and in being the catalyst to bring business, industry and tourism back to the City of Butler. This transformation will enhance local employment, create jobs and positively affect the City of Butler for years to come.
