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  Brownfields  2006

  Grant Fact  Sheet

   Washington  County

            Authority,

      Canonsburg,  PA


EPA Brownfields Program

EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, commu-
nities, and other stakeholders 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 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  redevel-
  Cleanup Grants
  $350,000 for hazardous substances
  EPA has selected the Washington County Author-
  ity for two brownfields cleanup grants. Hazard-
  ous 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 monitor-
  ing activities.
  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.
oped 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
                                                Solid Waste and
                                                Emergency Response
                                                (5105T)
                         EPA 560-F-06-057
                         May 2006
                         www.epa.gov/brownfields

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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 cafe. The
Sherwood Towers will be razed to make way for a
mixed-housing community with a park and hiking
trails.

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