June 4-5 auction of contents of former Verso Paper mill in Sartell, Minnesota, results in all smaller equipment being sold; dismantling of site's structures to follow sale of larger equipment to brokers, be completed by July 2014

Debra Garcia

ST. CLOUD, Minnesota , June 5, 2013 (St. Cloud Times) – Jeff McGlin, who is in charge of the dismantling of the plant for AIM Development, said the auction is the culmination of months of preparation.

"There was no other process for emptying the mill," said McGlin, 42, who has been in Sartell since February and expects he'll be here through July 2014 before the demolition process is complete. "We spent about two months getting everything ready, getting the lots together and pictures taken. That's been our primary focus up to now."

McGlin said some equipment unique to the papermaking process is being sold through brokers.

Once that is out, demolition and salvage of scrap metal will begin. He said the anticipation is to leave the lowest concrete footings or elevation as a starting point for redevelopers.

A meeting is planned this month with demolition subcontractors to figure out how to dismantle tougher pieces -- including a 500-ton boiler suspended 100 feet off the ground and the blue chimney that can be seen for miles.

"At least the chimney's made of fiberglass, so it won't be too heavy," McGlin said. "We wish it was metal, because then it would be more valuable to us. But then it would be a lot harder to take down, too."

Not so for thousands of little items. Their new owners started claiming them Tuesday. Everything was sold, even if it had to be tacked onto another lot. And soon it all will be gone.

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