Clairton Sportsmen’s Club
Dedicated To Improving the Quality of Our Environment
412 Coal Valley Road – P.O. Box 837 Clairton, PA 15025
Jim Martin Terry Steiner J. Brise Bickerton John Guffey
November 9, 2005
Memorandum for Record
Individuals representing the PA Turnpike Commission and their consulting companies for the phase of the Mon Valley Expressway affecting Clairton Sportsmen’s Club, headed by Lou Washowich, briefed the Board of Directors, Clairton Sportsmen’s Club (CSC) and a few interested club members on Tuesday, November 9. The meeting was informative in nature and was not subject to any of the requirements in our By-Laws as far as quorums or advance notifications to the members are concerned. No official CSC business was conducted.
Lou Washowich started the briefing by commenting that the project had been initially authorized for developmental work in 1985 and that federal approval of the project had finally been received last year. Currently, the optimal plan is to have the road alignment confirmed by the end of 2006, to be followed by a 30 month period of land acquisition. From this and future comments, it appears that the macro-plan is done, the micro-plan still subject to changes. In the case of Clairton Sportsmen’s Club this could reasonably be translated as the future road location is know within feet and the right-of-way within yards. Lou indicated that the Turnpike Commission had been told of a need to work with us. He also indicated that historic rules on eminent domain where property is taken for public works applied.
Dave McCullogh, representing one of the consulting firms (PBS&J), spoke next. He indicated that the original plan was to run the highway to the east of the club, which I will describe generally as the area bounded by Coal Valley Road and State Rt. 837. A complicating factor in this area is the existence of high-power lines which could have to be moved depending on how far east the road went. If they had to move, they would also have rights to use eminent domain to secure their right-of way, which almost certainly would also act to our disadvantage. The proposed alignment was chosen to meet the goals of not forcing relocation of the electrical lines and reduce the number of bridges required to be built or reconstructed.
Ed Jones, a second consultant (Kimball) summarized the presently proposed road location as remaining on the eastern side of the club but shifting deeper into the club possibly impacting the rifle range and the pistol range. At this time the area required for the project is about 30 acres.
John Frank, the project engineer for the Turnpike Commission, indicated that the impact of having the electrical company involved in securing land for their towers, right of way, access, etc. could be worse than what we get while we deal with one agency. Construction probably begins in 2009/2010 at the earliest. Construction may start in another segment of the project (The project is divided into several segments.) initially based on need. A high traffic area where there is a great need is the area from Bates Street and 2nd Avenue to Glenwood Bridge. An aerial composite of the club grounds with indications of where the road is currently planned is in the club office.
SUMMARY: It appears that the proposed acreage requirement does not necessarily put the club out of business although it could preclude future development of currently unused land. CSC grew incrementally over the years and no long term plan was ever made for the facilities. It is possible that by changing the locations of some facilities we could end up with a better, more efficient club that we currently have. Lou Washowich also indicated that Turnpike assistance could be available to help remedy ‘loss of use’ conditions that develop due to the project.
J. Brise Bickerton
Secretary