MILLENNIUM PARK Lawrence Co. officials OK plan, proposal

A public hearing on the matter is set for May 11.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority has taken the final steps needed before it takes two properties in Neshannock Township needed for the proposed Millennium Park.
The high-tech business park consists of 1,200 acres near Pa. Route 60 and is being considered as a possible location by a semi-conductor company promising about 2,000 new jobs.
But property owners David Hamilton and Thomas and Christy Whittaker have not agreed to sell their property.
The county redevelopment authority approved a redevelopment plan and a redevelopment proposal Wednesday.
James Gagliano, county planning director, explained that the redevelopment plan is a broad overview of the entire project. The proposal outlines the property needed for the project and how the authority will go about getting it, he said.
Filing expected
The authority is expected to file declarations of taking -- often called eminent domain -- the government's legal right to take private property often in return for fair compensation.
Both plans must be approved by Lawrence County commissioners before any action can be taken. Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing on the matter at 9 a.m. May 11 and are expected to meet at 10 a.m. to vote on it.
The redevelopment authority has scheduled a special meeting for 11:30 a.m. May 11 in the government center to then take action -- filing the declaration of taking on both properties.
Officials say they have been in negotiations with the Whittakers and Hamilton for nearly a year. All other property owners have sold their land.
cioffi@vindy.com