The road going through Hempfield’s new municipal complex has a name: Hempfield Crossing.
Township supervisors approved the name last week for the new street that runs from Mt. Pleasant Road to Summit Drive. Township Manager Aaron Siko said two homes and a business will have to change their addresses from Weatherwood Lane.
“There are three address changes within that, but this would provide that continuity across the entire stretch of that roadway,” he said.
A new park at the planned municipal complex was opened last month at the site along Route 30, between the exits for Mt. Pleasant Road and Cedar Street.
That first phase of work, which included infrastructure and extension of Weatherwood Lane, cost $15 million.
A second phase, which will include sports fields and a pickleball court, is expected to cost about $5.2 million. Funding is being sought for development of a public works garage, public safety building and community center that would house township offices and other space available to the public.
Township staff mulled over possible names before recommending Hempfield Crossing, Siko said. There are two other streets in the 15601 ZIP code with a similar naming convention, including Hempfield Boulevard, which connects Sam’s Club and Walmart.
“Is there going to be an issue with 911 — them going to the wrong place when you say Hempfield Crossing?” township Supervisor Jay Anderson asked.
Siko said the township consulted with county public safety officials during the planning process.
“In this instance, they would prefer that we don’t add a third Hempfield in that naming convention,” he said. “We have a very large township, and there are duplicate names within that.”
“These roads aren’t close together … they’re in different sections,” he said. “We still feel as a staff it’s an OK naming convention.”
