$
I
o
Brownfields 2005
Grant Fact Sheet
Washington County
Authority, PA
EPA Brownfields Program
EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders in economic development
to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up,
and sustainably reuse brownfields. Abrownfield 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. Addi-
tionally, funding support is provided to state and tribal
response programs through a separate mechanism.
Community Description
The Washington County Authority was selected to
receive a brownfields cleanup grant. Located in
southwestern Pennsylvania, Washington County
(population 9,756) was part of the once-dominant
American steel industry. Along with the collapse of the
steel and other heavy industries, Washington County
was hurt by the closing of the state-owned 1,200-acre
Western Center complex in 2000. The former hospital
facility had been one of the county's primary employ-
ers, and left hundreds unemployed. Most of the
complex was sold to develop upscale residential areas,
recreational facilities, and new high-technology busi-
nesses. The remaining 221 acres, including 33 build-
ings, represent the county's largest concentration of
Cleanup Grant
$200,000 for hazardous substances
EPA has selected the Washington County Author-
ity for a brownfields cleanup grant. Grant funds
will be used to clean up the Administration
Building in the 221-acre Western Center complex,
a former state-owned hospital facility. Funds will
also be used to develop reuse plans. The building
is contaminated with asbestos, and possibly lead
and PCBs.
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
724-250-6418
The cooperative agreement for this grant has not
yet been negotiated; therefore, activities described
in this fact sheet are subject to change.
brownfields. The presence of toxic substances such as
asbestos is a vital health issue to the county's predomi-
nantly young population, especially those of child-
bearing age. The county plans to redevelop the com-
plex into a "Main Street" neighborhood community,
with new homes, retail space, restaurants, entertain-
ment venues, and greenspace. The Administration
Building will be redeveloped as a cultural and educa-
tional center, providing continuing education and
training programs. Redevelopment may create more
than 2,000 new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in
private investment.
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5105T)
EPA560-F-05-176
May 2005
www.epa.gov/brownfields
------- |