The former McDonald Steel property may not be vacant much longer, thanks to a new owner who specializes in redeveloping old industrial facilities.

Built by U.S. Steel in 1918, the building that's been part of McDonald Steel since 1981, could soon be dismantled.

That's the plan outlined by the new owner, AP McDonald LLC which is a newly formed company owned by Allied Partners LLC.
That company has a history of redeveloping old industrial sites in other states, like old steel factory property.

In a news release, AP McDonald LLC isn't specific about what they hope to do with the property after everything is demolished and cleaned up, but McDonald's Mayor Ray Lewis says he believes it will bring economic growth to the area.

"The company that has purchased it does intend to redevelop the property so my number one goal is to work with that company to create commerce and bring jobs back to this village, that's priority number one," said Lewis.

Lewis says the property itself has the infrastructure ready to go for any type of growing industry.

"You're talking about an area that has a large, large capacity for electricity with the river right there. We have entryways both by rail and highways with I-80 right around the bend so, and we have a community that wants to work with anyone," Lewis added.

McDonald Steel was forced to shut down earlier this year due to age-related reliability issues with the plant and increasing operating costs.

AP McDonald LLC leaders say they plan to work with village, county, and state officials on plans for their post-demolition redevelopment of the 50-acre site.