LAWRENCE COUNTY Land plan for park nears OK

County commissioners also must approve the plan.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- County officials expect to approve a plan that will give them authority to take private property for the multimillion dollar Millennium Park.
The Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority agreed to send a draft copy of its redevelopment plan for 1,200 acres, bounded by Harbor Road and Pa. Route 60 in Neshannock Township, to the county planning commission for its review.
County Solicitor John Hodge said a copy of the plan would not be available for public review until after the redevelopment authority adopts it Sept. 12.
The plan must also be approved by Lawrence County commissioners later, he said.
Eminent domain
The redevelopment plan will give the county the authority to take land through eminent domain. Eminent domain is the government's right to take private property, usually in exchange for fair compensation.
The county has authorized the Lawrence County Economic Development Authority to negotiate with the six property owners for the land. At least two have already signed sales agreements, but others may not want to sell, officials have said.
About the park
Millennium Park is a proposed high-tech industrial park that has been identified by Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell as a top priority of the state's economic development plan. The state has committed $15 million to the project, which will be matched by $7.2 million in local money. The county has also pledged $3.5 million.
A semiconductor company, promising 3,000 jobs, has shown interest in the site, officials have said.