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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Majority
Whip Bill DeWeese |
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DeWeese says Fayette prison site selection process continuing
HARRISBURG, Aug. 12 – State Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, said the state Department of General Services will review topographic and mining maps as part of the ongoing screening process for a new $200 million state prison slated for construction in Fayette County.
DeWeese recently communicated with James P. Creedon, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, which will select the site and build the prison, for an update on the project estimated to create 700 jobs.
By law, the prison must be built in Fayette County. Although DeWeese reiterated to Creedon his preference that the facility be built in the German Township portion of the 50th District, DeWeese said he understands DGS will make the best choice possible.
Creedon said DGS, which will oversee construction of the prison and then turn it over to the state Department of Corrections, is keenly interested in keeping the project within budget during these difficult economic times – which may mean ruling out some sites because of ultra-expensive earth moving and utility line relocations. Of the five sites currently under consideration, four are in DeWeese’s 50th District and one is outside that boundary. Creedon said that in the process of selecting a site, his department will focus on getting every piece of information possible to support that decision.
Creedon previously estimated that DGS should complete its site analysis by late summer, that final site selection should be announced this fall and that site preparation for construction could begin by the middle of 2010.
DeWeese said he still hopes the state prison – the third he’s obtained – will be built in the Masontown area of German Township, where water and sewer upgrades related to the construction would spur residual economic growth in the surrounding area.
"I realize that DGS must be a careful steward of tax dollars, especially in these very challenging budgetary times," DeWeese said. "Secretary Creedon and his staff of professionals will be particularly interested in getting the most bang for the buck, and I fully accept and understand that position."
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