A mixed-use development off Route 28 in Harrison is expected to move forward in the spring after years of dormancy.
Brian Clark, a consultant with R&Z Harrison Properties, said site work and infrastructure are planned to begin at Harrison Point, a 162-acre development near the highway’s Tarentum Interchange (Exit 14).
“Our main targets are office, healthcare and tech, retail, research, resilience and some hospitality,” Clark said.
“We need to be flexible as this market is constantly evolving and changing, but we are confident moving forward.”
The complex adjoins the town’s Silverlake property, a long-vacant recreation area that is being built in part on land donated by R&Z, which helped Commissioner Harrison secure an upgrade grant from the state.
Work began Nov. 1 on a $240,000 trail in the park between Harrison Point and Carlisle Streets.
“This is a rare opportunity to advance two major programs simultaneously,” Clark said.
“Developing along Highway 28 without affecting the land in the valley was a delicate process.”
Last week, the Harrison Point developer was awarded a $1 million state grant for site preparation.
R&Z is one of several groups sharing $9.5 million through the Reconstruction Assistance Capital Program.
Funds will be used for grading, culvert construction, utilities and road improvements.
“The Harrison Point development represents an important project for the town,” Commissioner Chuck Dizard said. “This will expand the town’s tax base, bring new jobs to the region, improve the appearance of the landscape, and provide additional support for Silver Lake.
“It will be one of the largest economic investments the town has made in many years.”
Clark expects work on the site could last up to two years.
“We hope to deliver some of the projects before then,” he said.
He thanked Harrison’s commissioners for their support in advancing two projects in the same area.
State Senator Lindsey Williams supported the Harrison grant. The capital investment will benefit the region through job creation and productive land use, she said.
“These rebuilding grants are extremely competitive statewide,” Williams said. “I can’t wait to see the return on these investments.”
Initial plans for the business park surfaced in 2017. At the time, 45 acres of the site were cleared of trees to deter northern long-eared bats from nesting there.
The developers worked with state and federal agencies to minimize impacts to bat species by protecting bats from continuing to make their homes on trees that would eventually collapse.
“As we develop the business park to bring business into the region, we are maintaining sensitive environmental landscapes and creating world-class community parks,” Clark said.
Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for Tribune Review. You can reach Tawnya by email at tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter .