EAST JORDAN — The vacant East Jordan Iron Works foundry on the shoreline of the south arm of Lake Charlevoix in downtown East Jordan will soon be demolished, according to an internal memo from EJ Inc.

A memo was disseminated to employees on Aug. 16 that stated, “This communication is to make you aware that we are in the process of moving forward with the demolition of the old foundry in East Jordan. The removal of the foundry building is a significant event for EJ, and we want to ensure you are aware of what is happening.

"We anticipate demolition starting in a few weeks and buildings beginning to be removed this fall. The demolition project is very complex and is expected to take at least one year to complete. For 135 years this historic foundry has impacted our community, provided critical products to the world, and helped grow our company into the global industry leader we are today.”

The company owns over 1,500 feet of waterfront property in downtown East Jordan on which the now abandoned foundry sits unused.

More:EJ marks start of new foundry project

East Jordan's city administrator Tom Cannon said, "We are aware of EJ’s demolition plans as permits have been completed and a public message was sent to their company as well as the city. Because of the complexity related to this undertaking, the demolition contractors will coordinate efforts wherever related to public infrastructure. The City of East Jordan and EJ has assured an exceptional relationship throughout the company’s history. Once future plans are determined, we have great confidence EJ will utilize their property at a way that best serves our community.”

Mary Faculack, president of the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce, added that “This is a very big development for East Jordan."

Exactly what will done with the empty space that has encompassed much of the East Jordan shoreline in the downtown area for so long has yet to be determined.

In the city’s master plan, which was approved two years ago, the space is zoned as mixed use — which could include anything from a park area, to housing to commercial endeavors.

The city’s planner, Janet Koch, said the use, “could be a lot of things ... a place for a wide variety of purposes.”

More:Production start nears for EJ's new foundry

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East Jordan Iron Works was founded in East Jordan in 1883. The company was established in November 1883 by William Malpass and his father-in-law, Richard W. Round, to service the logging industry in East Jordan and around Northern Michigan. In the early years of operation, the company manufactured castings for necessities such as machine parts, ship parts, agricultural uses, and railroads, according to the company's website.

In the 1920s, lumbering operations began to decrease after the advent of the Great Depression. By World War II, lumbering had moved out of the area, and then East Jordan Iron Works shifted their large-scale production to street castings, water works valves, and fire hydrants as well as war materials needed for the war effort, such as tank parts.

East Jordan Iron Works was renamed to EJ in 2012 to consolidate multiple owned holdings under a single brand, according to Foundry Management and Technology.

Currently, EJ owns and operates four foundries, with locations in Michigan, Oklahoma, Ireland and France. The company also owns and operates sales offices and distribution centers, as well as fabricated product facilities.

Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Vacant East Jordan Iron Works foundry soon to be demolished