Commission gives OK to high-tech park project

The park will be located on the site of the former Shenango China plant.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners have approved the redevelopment proposal for the Riverview Commerce Park project.
That approval was necessary before for the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority could proceed with the redevelopment plans, which call for the development of a high-tech business park at the former Shenango China site on New Castle's West Side.
At their weekly public meeting Tuesday at the Wayne Township Municipal Building, commissioners said they have always supported the plan. But they added they would like to see the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority and the county's planning commission work together to "effectively" negotiate with property owners to acquire the property rather than pursue eminent domain proceedings.
The proposal does allow for the pursuing of eminent domain, should that process be deemed necessary. And the plan identifies specific parcels that would need to be acquired for the development of 40-acre site.
Wording adjusted
Last week, commissioners postponed action on the proposal because commissioners Steve Craig and Ed Fosnaught said they were concerned that the wording of the resolution would require the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority to buy all the properties within the plan's boundaries and not just the former Shenango China plant property, which is the target area of the proposed redevelopment.
Plans also include several other properties stretching from Sampson Street to the Shenango River.
Craig said his concern stems from a case about 20 years ago, when the New Castle Redevelopment Authority had negotiated to acquire property for a development plan, but could not proceed because the funds were never secured.
"The property owner sued, and it caused the city redevelopment authority to go under," Craig said. "They've never recovered, and I don't want to see that happen to the county redevelopment authority."
On Tuesday, commissioners approved a revised version of the resolution. Where the original measure stated that the redevelopment proposal "identifies specific parcels that must be acquired" to complete the project, the revised resolution reads that those specific parcels "may be acquired ... contingent upon receipt and approval of adequate funding."
The county planning commission and redevelopment authority each approved the original redevelopment proposal in January.