Remediated industrial property in Springdale Township could make way for new municipal complex, educational opportunities

Former industrial land in Springdale Township has the potential to reconnect and help revitalize the area, political leaders and Duquesne Light officials said last week.

Duquesne Light unveiled a natural wetland on industrial property near the former Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale. John Bigi, the company’s environmental lead, said the wetland will naturally treat spring and stormwater impacted by Duquesne Light’s former industrial activities on the property before safely discharging that water into Tawney Run.

The wetland is about half an acre, said Christine Waller, company spokeswoman.

“All of this is so representative of the power of partnerships and creating positive change for the communities where we live,” she said. “And I have full confidence that, through the stewardship of this facility and working together with our partners, that for generations to come, you’ll continue to see exciting opportunities on this property to make a positive impact for our neighbors here in Springdale.”

Township officials will leverage the remediated wetland and its proximity to the Rachel Carson Trail for opportunities for community development in the area, such as a new municipal complex, said Rick Schwartz, president of the township commissioners.

Duquesne Light retains ownership of the property for now. Once the company is satisfied with plans for the land, it could donate it to the township, Schwartz said.

Springdale Township has a merged police, fire and ambulance service with neighboring towns, and such a complex would benefit the township and its surrounding communities, he said.

The township also envisions turning the properties into an environmental, educational and recreational area — tapping into the history of Springdale native and world-renowned environmental researcher Rachel Carson. Ultimately, it would connect the geographically divided township sections of Orrville and Harwick, Schwartz said.

The township also could consider housing on the site, Schwartz said.

The entire property is about 200 acres and runs from Pittsburgh Street in Springdale to Route 28. The Rachel Carson Trail runs through the heart of the property.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Valley. … Anything we build here, it returns tax dollars to this entire Valley,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz, now retired from Duquesne Light after 33 years, said he used to work at the site and always pondered its potential. Tim Basilone, commissioners’ vice president, said the project is a natural way of remediating industrial properties for future use.

“It’s a wonderful project,” Basilone said. “It really holds some real hope for the Lower Valley in terms of development.”

State Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Fox Chapel, and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View, attended Monday’s ceremony. They said they would advocate for funding to spur the township’s development plans.

Steele said she anticipates officials pursuing state grant funding for planning within the next year.

“This is a story that can be told all over the country, in this Valley, about how we can revitalize these communities through projects like this,” she said. “Through cleaning up the environment, this is what people want to see: bringing in clean energy jobs and really creating incredible economic vibrancy in these river towns.”