Planning Commission Reviews Economic Strategy in Ford City

by David Croyle

Members of the Ford City Planning Commission met with council members on the Economic Development Committee last night to review plans for not only the high school, but also the Ford City Industrial Park, and street resurfacing.

Planning Commission Chairman Tyson Klukan chaired the 90-minute meeting. He serves on the volunteer commission with Matt Lerner and Dr. James Solak. Solak has been absent for the past three meetings.

Klukan began with a 45-minute discussion that reviewed a Southwest Planning Commission Transportation and Development Plan that was adopted in 2007. That plan highlighted redevelopment plans for 74 acres of the former PPG land including 60 acres in a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ). It discussed another 7.2 acre parcel that housed 60,000 square feet of flexible industrial and office space. The first 30,000 square feet was planned to house renovated and in use at that time by Caracal, while another 30,000 square feet was planned for an industrial heritage museum, business incubator, and flex space multi-tenant facility with a shared video conference center. Those plans are now defunct due to the foreclosure of the property and resale to Belflex Technologies.

The attention was then turned to possible uses for the Ford City Industrial Park, which is located at the southern end of the town next to the river and is classified as “brownfield” property. Since it became a repository for hazardous byproducts of PPG’s manufacturing process, there are limited uses for the property. Between four and six feet of a dirt cover separates the contaminated soil from the surface; thus any structure would have to be built on cement slabs above the surface. It is also not suitable for any type of housing. The property also does not have water or sewage infrastructure at the present time according to former councilman Lou Vergari, who was present at the meeting.

Greg Dinko stated that approximately 12 years ago, the brownfield was designated a planned development park.

“Light industrial, commercial, no residential, medical facilities, and things like that can be put into there. Office space - there is a whole list that are excepted as far as what the zoning says down there.”

Klukan said there is also a Riverfront Park and Trail plan that was created in 2004 that considered such things as a Marina at the location. He said that prior councils did not act on any of the recommendations that were included in the plan. Planning Commission Member Matt Lerner liked the idea.

“They are trying to get the locks opened for at least recreational boating, and if there was something along the river for boaters to come to, that would be an attraction for business.”

Klukan stated that Senator Bob Casey has announced $58 million in appropriations for locks and dams in the region and has contacted Casey’s office to find out how much of that money will be spent on the Allegheny River.

“The Federal money is coming in the western PA region and since we are right along the Allegheny, this is huge! I think we need to get that river open again!”

Less than 15 minutes was spent discussing possible uses for the Ford City High School which is to be vacated at the end of this school year. Klukan said he would like to contact site developers for possible options as well as a planned meeting with Senator Don White and the county’s Industrial Development Council.

Greg Dinko stated that the property is located in a residentially-zoned section of Ford City and that without significant rezoning, many of the options discussed would not be possible.

“Our zoning laws are so antiquated that we cannot do anything! We can’t piece-meal. It has to be redone.”

Klukan agreed with Dinko and pointed to the zoning map on the wall.

“That’s so outdated - that’s with a crayon. We need actual blueprint maps. That’s outdated. We do need to rezone in this town certain areas. That’s where this blueprint comes into play too.”

Council President Kathy Bartuccio said she would like to see cottages built by a developer - similar to those in Kittanning on the former IUP property- if the school building was razed.

Klukan also discussed future paving projects for this year. He stated that Ford City has been allocated approximately $80,000 in Liquid Fuels money. With Ford City already spending $7,000 on 50 tons of salt this week, there is still $72,000 to spend on paving several streets.

However, streets are not the only problem. Bill Oleksak said some of the sewers and now higher than the streets and not doing the job controlling water runoff.

“On Ford Street, there’s a lake! Down by Christ Prince of Peace, both of those sewers you can’t walk past them. By the Hoagie Shop, same thing. You have sewers that are higher than the street. On Third Avenue on Ford Street by Marcia’s Garden, it’s ridiculous!”

Councilman Gene Banks, who serves on the sewage authority, said he would discuss the problem with them as well.

The meeting was also attended by several residents of the community, real estate professionals Mel Morin and Dan Burke, Dean Hutchison, and Mayor Marc Mantini.