HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The city of Hagerstown is close to an agreement for cleaning up and demolishing an old electric plant filled with toxic PCBs and asbestos.

The Herald-Mail (http://bit.ly/1sXU9Xf) reported in its Wednesday edition that the city would pay the owner of the former Municipal Electric Light Plant $650,000.

If the City Council approves the deal next week, the red brick building along Antietam Creek could be gone by July and the city would take possession of the nearly 3-acre site.

Mayor David Gysberts (GYZE’-berts) says negotiations with building owner Partners Marketing accelerated after the city began eminent domain proceedings to acquire the property in May.

He says the building has been a public safety and environmental hazard for decades. It was built in 1928 and ceased continuous operations in 1972.

___

Information from: The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., http://www.herald-mail.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.