LACKAWANNA, N.Y. — Plans are moving forward to redevelop the Old Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna.
The Erie County Industrial Land Development Corporation (ECILDC) hosted a public meeting Tuesday night at St. Anthony's Church in Lackawanna to present updates on the redevelopment project there.
Members of the public were able to hear more about the infrastructure master plan and have discussion about of the environmental review document.
The project has been going on since 2017, when ILDC purchased 150 acres of the land. Since then they've constructed a bike path along Route 5, relocated rail lines, and began re-mediating the property.
In July, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced TMP Technologies purchased 28 acres of the property to build a a cleaning products manufacturing facility. They are expected to break ground in 2020.
Developers also hope to construct a net zero building, which is a facility that releases zero carbon emissions. That building would be available for lease.
There are also have plans to extend the current bike path and open the extension of Dona Street into the property.
Maria Whyte, the Deputy Erie County Executive said, "Over the course of many years, the county has invested millions of dollars in this property. Together with New York State, we are finally seeing the fruits of that labor and really taking an old brownfield and transforming it into a 21st venture industrial park."
Many people at Tuesday's meeting said they want to see better access to the water front.
The 150 acre property is now ready for commercial and industrial tenants.
Now, the for the next step, the ILDC will purchase an additional 90 acres on the site to begin work on Phase II.