Hempfield: Demolition plans advancing for former state prison

Nearly a year after purchasing the SCI Greensburg property, Hempfield is securing funding and establishing a timeline on demolition of the former state prison.

“We are basically wrapping up demolition plans currently,” township manager Aaron Siko said.

The 350,000-square-foot prison was built to hold 900 inmates and employed about 360 people. The state Department of Corrections announced in January 2013 it was closing the facility and another in Cambria County because of maintenance costs and a declining inmate population.

After the facility sat vacant for a decade, the township announced in June it would purchase the 96-acre property on South Grande Boulevard for $3.5 million with the intent to demolish the prison.

Township officials submitted grant applications to the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, Siko said, but they are still waiting to hear if they will receive the funding.

The township entered an agreement with the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation in July to tear down the former prison. Executive director Jason Rigone said the group is performing the site evaluation, which includes the demolition plan, timeline and cost.

The group aims to raze all of the structures on the property at once, he said, but the demolition may need to be split up depending on when funds are come in.

“In terms of funding, we’re still in the process of understanding what the cost will be, as well as working with local, county and state leadership to be able to secure the necessary capital to be able to implement the final plan once evaluation is complete,” Rigone said.