Site work expected to begin at Harrison's mixed-use business park

A mixed-use development off Route 28 in Harrison is expected to move forward in the spring after several years sitting dormant.

Brian Clark, consultant for R&Z Harrison Properties, said site work and infrastructure are scheduled to begin on Harrison Point, a 162-acre development near the Tarentum interchange of the expressway (Exit 14).

“Our main target is office, medical and tech, retail, research, flex and some hospitality,” Clark said.

“We need to be flexible because this market continues to evolve and change, but we are confident in moving forward.”

The complex abuts the township’s Silverlake property, a long-vacant recreation area that is undergoing revitalization thanks in part to a donation of land by R&Z that helped earn the Harrison commissioners a state grant for upgrades.

Work began Nov. 1 on a $240,000 walking trail at the park, which sits between Harrison Point and Carlisle Street.

“This is a unique opportunity to have two major projects moving forward simultaneously,” Clark said.

“It is a delicate process of developing along Route 28 without disturbing the land in the valley.”

Harrison Point developers last week were awarded $1 million through a state grant for site preparation.

R&Z was among several groups to share $9.5 million through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

Money will be used for grading, culvert construction, utilities and highway improvements.

“The Harrison Point development represents an important project for the township,” Commissioner Chuck Dizard said. “It will expand the township’s tax base, bring new jobs to the area, improve the appearance of the landscape and provide additional support for Silverlake.

“This will be one of the largest economic investments in the township in many years.”

Clark expects work at the site could last as long as two years.

“We hope to deliver portions of the project prior to that,” he said.

He thanked Harrison’s commissioners for their support in advancing two projects in the same area.

State Sen. Lindsey Williams advocated for the Harrison grant. She said the capital investment will benefit the region with job creation and productive land use.

“These redevelopment grants are extremely competitive statewide,” Williams said. “I can’t wait to see the return on these investments.”

Initial plans for the business park were floated in 2017. At that time, trees were cleared from 45 acres at the site to deter Northern long-eared bats from nesting there.

Developers worked with state and federal agencies to minimize the impact on the bat species by protecting them from continuing to make their homes in trees that would eventually come down.

“We are maintaining the sensitive environmental landscape and creating a world-class community park as we develop a business park to bring business into the region,” Clark said.