Rick Karlin is reporting for the Times Union the federal Department of Energy has declared the site of the former NL Industries munitions factory in Colonie ready for redevelopment. The department owns the 11-acre site and wants to sell it or give it away. The site was tainted with radioactive dust left behind by the manufacture of depleted uranium armor-piercing shells. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spent more than 20 years and $190 million to remediate the toxic dust and other waste generated there. The parcel may ultimately become open space or a driving shortcut between Central and Railroad avenues. “At this point it could be transferred over to the city or the local community. It is free to be used  to be developed,” DOE spokesman Padraic Benson said. Colonie Planning Director Joe LaCivita said he doubts the spot is marketable due to its history. “I don’t believe that there would be a governmental or municipal entity that would be able to put that out on the market,” he said. The NL plant was closed in 1984 under a state court order and the federal government eventually took control of the cleanup. Read the full story in the Times Union.