Township eyes sports facility
BUTLER TWP — Township commissioners have approved a plan to purchase land from the Pullman Center Business Park, and are eyeing the addition of a sports complex to the township's amenities.
At a meeting Monday, the board approved moving forward with the land acquisition of more than 18 acres of the business park.
“It'll be a nice view when coming across the Picklegate bridge, looking at this site,” said Dave Zarnick, board president.
Zarnick said he is envisioning a dome-shaped indoor sports complex that would sit at a height that towers over the bridge. He said the idea was inspired by a scrapped idea from years ago, adding now the Pullman site gives the idea new life.
“Butler Township realizes we need to have attractions like this to attract younger people to move into our township,” Zarnick said. “We have to offer these amenities that other areas already have to keep our township thriving.”
Joe Saeler, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, said the purchase of the parcel, which could take about two months to close the deal, represents the last piece of the Pullman Center Business Park expansion project.
“It's really nice to see a once brownfield turn into a business park,” Saeler said. “There's a lot of jobs down here and a lot of opportunity.”
The parcel was once part of Pullman Standard, which manufactured railroad cars. After the factory shut down, the CDC revitalized the site from brownfield status. A brownfield site is land that could be potentially contaminated by hazardous materials.
Since then, a number of businesses have purchased parcels, transforming the area into a business park.
“I think (the sports complex) would be a great asset to the community and not just Butler Township, but the City of Butler and the surrounding townships,” Saeler said.
The township commissioners praised Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, who attended Monday's meeting, for her effort in the deal. Saeler acknowledged that Mustello was helpful in keeping the project moving at the state level.
The state retained some say over the property when it was designated a brownfield and granted the CDC the ability to sell the property.
“They called our office, and we were just supporting them in whatever they needed for it,” Mustello said. “Thank goodness we can move forward with it.”
Mustello said the sports complex would be a great addition to the community.
“Parents won't have to drive their kids down to Pittsburgh and points far beyond. It's a closer location for them,” Mustello said. “It'll be another recreational facility for township and city residents and everybody else.”
Also Monday night, the board approved the signing of a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Land Acquisition Grant application that could help offset the costs of the land acquisition by up to a 50 percent reimbursement.
Township manager Tom Knights said with or without the grant, the funds will come from the township's Park Development Account.
He said that once purchased, the township will be able to apply for another DCNR grant, the Park Development Grant, which would help cover the costs of the construction of whatever is built on the land.
“We have to have the land before we can apply for the development grant,” Knights said.
Knights also pointed out that the property comes with some challenges that the township will have to plan around, especially utility easements. He said there is a sewer line and natural gas line that run through the property. He said there is also a right-of-way that extends from the railroad into the property.
But Knights said the township hopes to make the best of the space. He said officials will also seek the input of residents about the activities they want to see.
“The plan is to solicit the general public and see what residents want to see,” Knights said.
Zarnick said he is excited about the potential the site has, and he looks forward to being a part of its future.
“Who knows once we get started with all this where it will lead,” he said.
