Hempfield considers next step in possible demolition of former state prison

Hempfield supervisors are set to vote Monday on seeking bids for the demolition of the former SCI Greensburg state prison.

Township manager Aaron Siko said if supervisors approve the measure, a contract could be awarded in March.

With $2 million from the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program designated for the project, Siko said seeking bids will allow officials to see what the demolition would cost and if any additional funds are needed.

“Certainly, we can do some creative maneuvering of grants to possibly move this project forward even faster if these bid numbers come in in that $2 million range,” he said. “We expect it to be higher, but we’d like to find that out.”

The township bought the former state prison off Route 119 between Greensburg and Youngwood for $3.5 million with the intention of redeveloping the land. Officials intend to demolish the buildings on the site, which closed in 2013.

“We are permitted for everything on site, so if we would happen to get good bids, we’re in a position we could get that turned around quickly,” Siko said.

How the land will be reused afterward has been up for discussion.

The township is partnering with Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. on the project. The corporation’s board approved two bids last week related to the purchase and salvage of equipment, structures and materials at the site.

Ligonier Construction was awarded a contract to purchase a cogeneration plant and two steel frame buildings for $53,800. The firm has until March 31 to finish the work, said Jason Rigone, executive director of the development corporation.

Celio Wrecking was awarded a contract to buy a generator plant and miscellaneous electrical items for $125,500. Their deadline to complete the work is April 15. Rigone said the money will be put back into the project.

The medium-security prison was built to hold 900 inmates and employed 360 people. It closed in June 2013, with state officials citing maintenance costs and a declining inmate population. It has been vacant since.

It was sold at auction in 2015 for $950,000 to Carlisle businessman David Goldsmith, who later titled it to Verdant Holdings LLC. Goldsmith announced a plan to build a veteran rehabilitation center there, a project that never materialized.

The property was foreclosed upon in 2018 and later sold at sheriff’s sale for close to $147,000 to Midwest Bank of Detroit Lakes, Minn.