Council, EDC OK sale of 23.4-acre Rockwool tract

June 12, 2025

By David Stone

The Belton Journal

Belton’s City Council arranged for the sale of 23.4 acres on FM 93 to JonTex Properties during Tuesday’s meeting.

According to Cynthia Hernandez, executive director of the Belton Economic Development Corporation, the EDC has been working with two prospective purchasers to subdivide a 36-acre tract on FM 93. The parcel is part of the Rockwool Superfund Site, which was acquired by the Belton EDC in 2016 from the city of Belton.

The sale of the property will allow for the expansion of ECS Environmental Solutions, which is owned by Jeff Jones, Hernandez said. The total sales price is $193,526.

Although the property is adjacent to ECS, access was initially a problem as the tracts are divided by the former Georgetown Railroad tracks. The railroad was abandoned and obtained by the city of Temple for a future Rails-to-Trails project.

The city of Belton resolved the challenge by coordinating with Temple to realign the Belton segment of the trail.

As a result, Temple approved an easement agreement with Jeff Jones allowing for contiguous access to the Rockwool site. BEDC approved a land lease with Jon-Tex Properties, allowing the company to utilize the site for parking and outdoor storage while formal access was obtained from Temple.

The enclosed contract provides for the following:

• Jon-Tex Properties, purchase of 23.435 acres at $8,258 per acre;
• $12,000 credit for lease payments will be applied toward the purchase price;
• Environmental provisions;
• $15,000 earnest money;
• 180-day feasibility period;
• Closing by December 17, 2025.

The sale of property to Jon-Tex LLC will support the expansion of ECS and potentially serve additional industrial users. This transaction will help transform the Superfund Site into a productive property, the intended outcome of EPA’s remediation efforts.

Additionally, the ECS expansion and development of the Rockwool site is a component of the $2 million grant awarded to Belton by the Economic Development Administration for the FM 93 infrastructure improvement project.

Also Tuesday, Council authorized City Manager Sam Listi to execute an agreement with Kasberg, Patrick & Associates (KPA) for bidding and construction services for the two 18-inch force main crossings of Nolan Creek.

According to Director of Public Works Scott Hodde, Belton’s main lift station currently utilizes two 14-inch force mains for all wastewater flows from the lift station to the Temple-Belton Wastewater Treatment Plant.

In November 2021, a failure occurred in one of the force mains, resulting in a wastewater overflow that discharged into Nolan Creek. The overflow was promptly reported and managed in accordance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality protocols. In response, City staff worked closely with the Brazos River Authority staff to isolate the damaged main and successfully reroute flow through the second line.

Both force mains are located just beneath the creek’s water level and were originally protected by concrete aprons. However, over time, the combined impact of water flow and debris led to significant deterioration of the apron structure, leaving the force mains exposed and vulnerable, according to Hodde.

Upon evaluation by a qualified contractor, it was determined that a standard repair would be insufficient, and the city knew that operating with only one force main posed a risk during high-flow events.

To address the issue, Belton proceeded with a slip-lining solution installing a new pipe within the damaged main and reconnecting it on both ends outside the creek. This allowed for continuous operation and minimized environmental risks.

This temporary solution has held up well and provided the City with the time needed to secure funding for a long-term fix. The upcoming rehabilitation project will replace both existing 14-inch force mains with new 18-inch mains beneath the creek. These new mains will be installed using directional boring, allowing the pipe to be placed significantly deeper below the creek bed to protect against future damage from water and debris.

The new 18-inch force mains will tie into the existing 14-inch lines on either side of the creek, allowing for the lines to be upgraded on each receiving end in the future.

According to a report by Hodde, this project will cost $91,860 and will be funded through the recently issued Certificates of Obligation.