Harrisburg – December 12, 2013 – The former Westinghouse Atom Smasher site that straddles Chalfant Borough and Forest Hills in Allegheny County will be the subject of an environmental site assessment funded by an $88,000 Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) grant, according to state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Forest Hills).
“The Industrial Sites Reuse Program is designed as a catalyst to spur redevelopment of old industrial and manufacturing sites,” Costa said. “This program provides seed money to do an environmental site assessment that is part of a cleanup plan for the facility.”
Senator Costa says the former Westinghouse Atom Smasher site that straddles Chalfant Borough and Forest Hills in Allegheny County will be the subject of an environmental site assessment funded by an $88,000 Industrial Sites Reuse Program grant. Here’s more with Senator Costa who says this is the first step in turning the abandoned industrial site into a planned residential community.Atom-Smashers-Site-Assessment-
Costa, who serves as Senate Democratic leader, has been a strong advocate of redeveloping brownfields and recycling former manufacturing facilities. He was notified that the environmental assessment grant was approved earlier this week.
Costa said that the 12-acre Atom Smasher site sits on land that could be developed provided that any environmental problems are remediated. He said the facility is conveniently located and has ready access to major traffic arteries so it has high development potential.
He said P&L Investments has plans to use the site for a new residential development.
“The Industrial Sites Reuse Program has been a key part of the development strategy of many old industrial sites,” Costa said. “Given the industrial heritage of our region, this program is a key that unlocks future development and job creation.”
The ISRP provides grants and loans of up to $200,000 for environmental assessments at brownfield sites and is able to make grants and loans of up to $1 million for remediation.
The grant was awarded to Forest Hills Borough.
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