Brownfields 2006 Grant Fact Sheet

Washington County Authority, Canonsburg, PA

EPA BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. On January 11, 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. Under the Brownfields Law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: assessment grants, revolving loan fund grants, cleanup grants, and job training grants. Additionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal response programs through a separate mechanism.

CLEANUP GRANTS

$350,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the Washington County Authority for two brownfields cleanup grants. Hazardous substances grant funds will be used to develop cleanup plans, clean up, and conduct post-cleanup testing and monitoring at the Maintenance Shops of the former Western Center located at 333 Curry Hill Road in Canonsburg. The shops were used for welding, carpentry, transportation, and electrical and plumbing for most of the 20th Century and were built with materials that are now known to impact human health. Grant funds for Sherwood Towers, once the hospital at the Western Center complex, also will be used for planning, cleanup, and monitoring activities.

COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION

The Washington County Authority was selected to receive two brownfields cleanup grants. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania, Washington County (population 202,897) has a long history of reliance on steel and other heavy industries. The impact of the collapse of these industries on the regional economy was exacerbated in 2000 by the closing of the Western Center State School and Hospital, a community mainstay that provided critical social service needs in the area and employed hundreds of local residents. Most of the complex acreage was sold and redeveloped into upscale homes, high-tech businesses, and a golf course. The remaining 221 acres represent the county's largest concentration of brownfields. The presence of toxic substances poses a vital health issue for the area's fairly young population, including women of childbearing age. The condition of the structures remaining on the site poses a safety risk. The county plans to redevelop the site with features and amenities that will create a town-like atmosphere with a wide array of housing options, retail space, restaurants, entertainment venues, private industry, public service and educational facilities, and greenspace. This project is expected to create over 2,000 family-sustaining jobs and generate over $200 million in private investment. Once cleaned up, the former Maintenance Shops will be restored to create a central marketplace with a farmers market, street retail, and outdoor café. The Sherwood Towers will be razed to make way for a mixed-housing community with a park and hiking trails.

CONTACTS

For further information, including specific grant contacts, additional grant information, brownfields news and events, and publications and links, visit the EPA Brownfields web site at: www.epa.gov/brownfields.

EPA Region 3 Brownfields Team
215-814-3129
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/bfs/index.htm

Grant Recipient: Washington County Authority, PA
724-250-6508

The cooperative agreement for this grant has not yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described in this fact sheet are subject to change.