Burns helps position SCI-Cresson property for redevelopment

House vote authorizes right-of-way for critical access road

HARRISBURG, June 28 – A 3.3-acre right-of-way needed to spur development of 425 acres of dormant SCI-Cresson property unanimously cleared the state House Monday, prompting state Rep. Frank Burns to urge quick signing into law by the governor.

Senate Bill 1182, sponsored by state Sen. John Wozniak with Burns’ full support, would most immediately aid development of 93 acres to accommodate a natural gas-fueled power plant. It would also help transform the remaining 325 acres, which Burns wants to bestow with Keystone Opportunity Zone status to make more attractive.

"With yesterday’s House vote, Senator Wozniak and I have done our parts to position the property for meaningful repurposing," Burns said. "Now it’s up to private developers, working with the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority, to carry the ball across the finish line."

Burns was at the closed SCI-Cresson site back in May, when the state Department of General Services transferred 93 acres to the redevelopment authority for $1 to aid the electricity generation project developer.

"I said at that time that this was the first step toward restoring the 500 good-paying jobs lost when the Corbett administration unceremoniously and without warning closed the prison in 2013," Burns said. "Since then, we’ve taken several more necessary steps to put this project on the path to fruition."

With swift Senate and House approvals, the right-of-way bill now heads to the governor’s desk for signature into law.