What's Going on With the Peter Paul Site?

An Oxford-based company has been conducting soil testing at the site of the former Peter Paul building — the historical candy-making factory demolished earlier this year.

But, as to what will actually be built on the 889 New Haven Road multi-acre property, that still remains a mystery.

“I don’t know what the status of the site is. I don’t know what’s going on there (and) I’m not privy to what the plans are,” said James D’Angelo, of Soil Testing Inc., the firm that conducted the testing job. “We were subcontracted through Langin Engineering.”

D’Angelo said his company drills holes and samples the soil for environmental and geotechnical purposes. As for the Peter Paul site, “we found a bunch of dirt and rocks, and that’s all I can tell you.”

Borough officials and the public are waiting to see what will happen with the property, which is owned by the Hershey Co. In 2007, the giant candy maker announced it would close the Peter Paul factory and move its entire operation to Virginia. The factory made Almond Joy and Mounds candies for 88 years. 

Over 220 people were laid off as a result.

In early 2011, four years later, the company finalized plans to demolish the building.

It’s unclear what will happen next with the site. Jamie Barr, a project manager for Langen Engineering, did not return a message left Tuesday.

Soil Testing Inc. was at the site for four days in May, he said. As of right now, the property is still vacant of any activity, however some Brandenburg cranes were stationed there.

Kirk Saville, spokesman for Hershey, did not return a phone call seeking comment. In the past, for the purposes of selling the property to a developer.