Construction has commenced on the Junction Plaza site in Mingo Junction, Ohio, aiming to develop it into a commercial hub along state Route 7. The project, spearheaded by Ewusiak Development, begins with a 30,000-square-foot, semi-circular building, set to be completed in a few weeks. This facility, named Junction Recycling, will initially serve as a staging area for plastics and glass. These materials will be sent to a nearly completed recycling plant in Follansbee, owned by Empire Diversified Energy, to undergo the pyrolysis process, transforming them into hydrogen fuel and aggregate.
Joe Ewusiak, managing member of Ewusiak Development, revealed that approximately 70 to 100 tons of materials will be transported to Junction Recycling daily. Future expansions are planned to include additional material types. Junction Plaza's development has also seen the announcement of a Dairy Queen and a gas station, with several companies showing interest in the latter. The gas station will potentially offer hydrogen fuel produced from the pyrolysis plant.
The site at 1900 Commercial St. has been under Ewusiak Development's ownership for about two decades and has undergone various clean-up efforts. A new curb cut and entrance have been added to ease traffic from the Ohio 7 exit. Discussions with the Ohio Department of Transportation have been ongoing, and traffic studies indicate the potential need for a new stop sign at the entrance. Future development plans include finalizing the layout for the gas station and restaurant, and further work on utility lines.