Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) negotiated a sales agreement on October 8, 2015 to purchase 26.72 acres of the former Showcase Cinema/Rave property in the Town of McCandless.
ALT is partnering with Pennsylvania Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Turzai and McCandless on the purchase of the parcel, which is the balance of land not purchased by the Allegheny County Port Authority earlier this year. The final sale requires approval by the land trust’s Board of Directors and McCandless Town Council.
In 1980 the property was determined to be a floodplain for Pine Creek by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The property’s ongoing floodplain designation prompted Speaker Turzai to contact ALT and McCandless to discuss purchasing the former theater property to bring the land back to its natural state.
“The community will greatly benefit from returning this property to green space to include wetlands and floodplain in an environmentally-responsible manner,” Turzai said. “The project opens the door to incorporate an environmental park that provides the community with social, educational, environmental and recreational benefits.”
McCandless would grant funds to ALT for the purchase. ALT would then donate the property to McCandless and maintain a conservation easement on the property to ensure its permanent protection. Once the property is protected, ALT and McCandless will continue to collaborate for at least three years on planning of the property’s remediation and restoration, which includes the demolition of the former theater.
A public hearing is scheduled for October 26, 2015 at 7:30 PM at the McCandless Town Hall at which a presentation will be made on the proposed agreement between the partners.
For more information visit www.alleghenylandtrust.org, or contact
ALT Marketing Communications Director Lindsay Dill | 814.460.7429 | ldill@alleghenylandtrust.org
Allegheny Land Trust helps local people save local land. ALT’s mission is to serve as the lead land trust conserving and stewarding lands that support the scenic, recreational and environmental well-being of communities in Allegheny County and its environs. Since 1993, ALT has protected more than 1,800 acres in 26 municipalities.
The Town of McCandless governs based upon solid core values of integrity, straightforwardness, pragmatism, and an attitude of public service and selflessness. We offer programs of service that emanate from these principles, delivered in optimal fashion.
www.townofmccandless.org
