Much of the decommissioned government property from the Blue Grass plant is being dispositioned to everything from non-profit organizations and emergency services to other federal agencies.

“Our goals are to be good stewards of government funds, reuse and recycle as much as possible, and to help our communities,” said Korey Kaigle, industrial property management specialist, U.S. Army Contracting Command-Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. “Being able to achieve those goals is gratifying.”

Kaigle is overseeing the dispositioning of thousands of items, large and small, no longer needed as the Blue Grass plant continues closure activities. Strict guidelines and rules govern that process, focusing first on reuse by the U.S. Army and then other government agencies and non-profits. Public auctions and selling materials for scrap are the last options.

From January through September 2024, 168,470 items in Kentucky valued at more than $85 million were dispositioned, benefitting a variety of agencies, groups and communities, Kaigle said. For instance, many items are going to the Blue Grass Army Depot and thousands of tools are headed to the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.

On a smaller scale, when the project’s public information center known as the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office was closed in April 2024, a majority of the excess furniture and similar items were donated to Richmond-based Kentucky River Foothills Development Council (KRFDC) after no government agencies claimed them.

“These items have transformed local offices that desperately needed them but couldn’t afford such essentials,” said Karen Atkins, public information officer, KRFDC. “This generosity not only improves our working environments but also enhances our ability to serve the community effectively.”

The closure phase involves the decontamination and decommissioning of facilities, disposition of property and equipment, and demolition of facilities not required for future U.S. Army use. The activities are expected to take about three years, finishing with the close out of government contracts and environmental permits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.