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Westmoreland County Seeking $4 Million Grant for Former Pennsylvania State Prison Demolition

07 Nov 2023, Jail News, Prisons, by

Westmoreland County to help acquire a grant for upcoming demolition plans for the former Pennsylvania State Prison, to revitalize the site.

Westmoreland County Seeking $4 Million Grant for Former Pennsylvania State Prison Demolition - Inmate Lookup

To cover the cost of the engineering and demolition of the former Pennsylvania state prison in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County is requesting up to $4 million in state funds. The municipality bought 96 acres last summer, where the former State Correctional Institution-Greensburg prison and 14 structures are situated. 

For the demolition, which is projected to cost between $3.5 million and $5 million, the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. (WCIDC) is requesting a $4 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The WCIDC was given permission by the county commissioners to collaborate with the township on the grant application. 

As soon as funding is available, preliminary engineering might start to prepare the site for demolition. The demolition is projected to begin by the end of 2024.

After closing in 2013, the 350,000-square-foot former Pennsylvania State Prison has been non-operational for the past ten years. For $3.5 million, the municipality bought the land, intending to clear and develop it. Since joining the project, the county has taken the lead in developing the plans for destruction and securing funds.

The Westmoreland County Airport Authority is in need of upgrades, and the WCIDC is requesting $5 million in funding from the PA Sites program in addition to the PA state prison demolition. In order to make way for potential future development, this entails clearing the site, adding utility extensions, upgrading access and security, and managing stormwater.

 

Source: https://www.dailycourier.com/news/county-to-help-acquire-grant-funding-for-demolition-of-former-state-prison/article_054db53c-7cd6-11ee-9094-d3caca01cd9f.html