As rubble continues to be removed from the former chicory factory in Port Huron, many are wondering what will happen next to the site along the Black River near 12th Avenue. Add City Manager James Freed to that list. Freed, speaking to WPHM yesterday, says a letter was sent to the property owner explaining that the city had to demolish the building since it was unstable for anyone to occupy. The owner will be assessed for the cleanup, and if the bill isn’t paid, the property would return to the city. The parcel is owned by Fort Gratiot Township resident Shipla Mehta. Freed also says they were able to save the former chicory plant’s smoke stack in case it were to be included in any future development. The factory caught on fire last Friday night and was most recently being used as a warehouse.
