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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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