Governor Wolf Announces Remediation and Assessment of Former Industrial Site

Harrisburg, PA  – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Tom Wolf announced two new approvals through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program (ISRP) that will clean up a former industrial site in York County and assess the environmental condition of a former Northampton County site to prepare them for occupation by businesses and residential properties.

“The process of fully remediating a site can often be difficult and costly, so this program is vital to help get these sites pad-ready,” Governor Wolf said. “Having a collection of former brownfield sites ready for occupation helps attract companies to Pennsylvania and create jobs.”

The ISRP provides loans and grants for environmental assessments and remediation. The program is designed to foster the cleanup of environmental contamination at industrial sites, thereby bringing blighted land into productive reuse.

“It’s exciting to look at what the developers have planned for these sites,” DCED secretary Dennis Davin said. “These projects will help transform vacant brownfields into flourishing cornerstones for community and economic development like housing, a playground, and a medical clinic. This is great news for the cities of Easton and York.”

“Turning unused former industrial sites into places where people work, shop, and play is one of the Department of Environmental Protection’s longest-running success stories, and I am glad to see new chapters added for Easton and York,” said Department of Environmental Protection secretary Patrick McDonnell.

The two approved projects are as follows:

•  The city of Easton was approved for a $153,382 for a Phase II environmental assessment of the 3.9-acre Black Diamond Silk Mill industrial site in Northampton County. Earlier this year, a Phase I environmental assessment was performed which identified areas of environmental concern that warranted further investigation. Phase II will consist of an initial assessment and the investigation necessary to complete the site characterization following demolition.  ISRP funds will be used for site characterization including soil borings, geophysical survey for two suspected underground storage tanks, soil investigation, ground water testing, Phase II reporting, and administration. Once assessed and remediated, PIRHL Developers LLC plans to construct a 60-unit low income housing complex, complementary community center, and a playground. A second phase will be comprised of complementary mixed-uses, including a grocery store, retail and medical office/urgent care clinic.
• The Redevelopment Authority of the City of York (RDA) was approved for $1,000,000 for remediation of the former Danskin Factory clothing manufacturing facility located at 300 North State Street in the city of York. ISRP funds will be used for removal of asbestos-containing materials, contamination debris, demolition debris, and other hazardous materials. Once the site is remediated, the RDA plans to construct 56 units of affordable housing for families.

For more information about the Industrial Sites Reuse Program, visit the DCED website.