The news that Amazon would not move ahead with its plans to build a massive warehouse in Churchill drew mixed reactions on Friday.
Amazon’s decision to scrap a proposed 2.6 million-square-foot warehouse to be built on the site of the former George Westinghouse Research Park came after more than 50 hours of public hearing and debate lasting nearly a year.
The news came as a surprise to Keith Carrigan Hill, a vocal opponent of the development and a member of the opposition group Churchill Future.
“I didn’t expect this last night,” she said, although she said she thought the lawsuit Churchill Future filed against Amazon would eventually force the company to abandon its plans. “I really, really thought this was going to have to go on longer through the judiciary.”
Others called it a missed opportunity for jobs and increased tax revenue.
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• Amazon abandons Churchill warehouse plans
Hill was one of dozens of residents who were willing to continue fighting Amazon’s development, even after the Churchill Council approved it. Hill said she and others planned to hold more protests and launch a fundraising campaign this spring to help offset the legal costs associated with the lawsuit.
They ordered yard signs that read, “It’s not over yet, Amazon.”
Now, she says, they plan to cross out the word “no” so that the signs read: “It’s over, Amazon.”
Allegheny County Councilman Nick Futules, who represents Churchill, said he did not think the decision was made because of the concerns of some residents.
“Every time you build somewhere, do something, you will always have a bunch of people complaining about it,” Futules said, although he said he had no idea why Amazon changed course.
While Amazon announced it was withdrawing from the proposed distribution center, Churchill Borough said in a statement that he was not informed of any change in the status of the proposed distribution center by the Churchill Creek project, which was granted permission to use in December. website. Hillwood Development Co. LLC, a Dallas-based Perot company, is committed to developing the Churchill Creek project.
Hillwood spokesman James Fuller could not be contacted for comment on Friday.
Alex Graziani, city manager, said he was unable to add anything to the statement due to a lawsuit by Churchill Future challenging a conditional use permit issued by the city council in December.
If the status of this trial changes, the district administration said it would be ready to comment.
“Until such a change occurs, the county administration cannot comment further,” the municipality said.
Churchill Mayor Paul Gamrat did not return calls for comment, nor did council members.
Hearing that Amazon wasn’t coming to her residential area, Hill was relieved. Ultimately, winning a year-long battle with a corporate giant felt “amazing, amazing, fantastic,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,” Hill said.
Kathy Bordner, leader of Churchill Future, said she, too, was “caught off guard” by the news of Amazon’s exit.
“We’re just so happy that we don’t have to worry about all the problems that Amazon’s distribution center should have had – diesel trucks, traffic, wear and tear on our infrastructure,” she said. “We’re glad we don’t run into this.”
Moving forward, Bordner said she looks forward to more community involvement when it comes to new developments for the site. She said it would be a good location for an office park, and Hill suggested shops, medical facilities, senior housing, or even a new research park.
“Now there’s a new opportunity to reset this situation and get our council and our residents to really engage in conversations about what’s best out there,” Bordner said.
Some of the main buildings on the site could be refurbished and used in new ways, she said, adding that the site is also eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Let’s start using this site properly,” she said.
Amazon announced its intention not to build on the Churchill site without explaining why they abandoned the project. The company said it considers many factors when deciding where to develop future sites.
Hill said she believes the move was instigated by Churchill Future and other citizens who vehemently opposed the construction and filed a lawsuit.
Like Hill and Bordner, Futules said he had no warning that Amazon was about to pull out of development.
Unlike Hill and Bordner, Futules isn’t thrilled about it.
“I am very saddened by this fact,” he said. “It was a great opportunity for this area. The base of work and the tax base was such a big plus. Everything was a plus.”
Officials said the taxes would include $600,000 to $660,000 a year in taxes on Churchill’s property, as well as $2.3 million to $2.5 million for the Woodland Hills School District. Churchill is one of 12 municipalities in the county.
The addition of such additional tax revenue could help the community avoid tax increases, Futules said, and serve as a “shot in the arm” for their budgets.
“The thing is, they don’t have it now,” Futules said.
He said he also lamented the loss of job opportunities, especially for students who were graduating from high school and looking for a career that could provide a living wage.
“I’m sorry it didn’t get developed,” he said. “I think our next step will be to find a new tenant for Allegheny County to bring it back to life.”
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said local officials are “delighted” that Amazon is hiring 4,000 employees in the region and continuing to build logistics centers with sites in Findlay, North Versailles, Aleppo and Fairywood.
“As they continue to expand their footprint, we look forward to working with them,” Fitzgerald said. “Unfortunately, a small group of unelected residents has slowed this development and prevented many jobs that could be beneficial to youth in the Woodland Hills School District.”
Julia Felton is a staff columnist for the Tribune-Review. You can reach Julia at 724-226-7724, [email protected] or via Twitter. .