URA Announces EPA Award for Swisshelm Park Solar Remediation Project

PITTSBURGH, PA (May 21, 2024) The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $2 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2024 Brownfields Cleanup Grant award. 

The award marks a significant stride toward the transformation of a former slag dumping ground site in the Swisshelm Park neighborhood into a solar farm. The funding will be used towards the cleanup of 22 acres of the property in preparation for a second phase to develop 15 acres of solar panel fields and a nearly 55-acre extension of Frick Park, the City’s largest public park.  

“This is a critical investment for the future of clean energy in Pittsburgh,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “I am thankful to the EPA for its support in advancing this project and to Congresswoman Lee, Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and Councilmember Warwick for their support in securing vital funding for the URA’s project. Together we are shaping a healthier environment and improving quality of life for our residents and future generations.” 

The EPA grant closes the URA’s financial gap for the remediation phase of the project. Remediation will include capping the site with imported soil and vegetation and is the first crucial step for future development of this brightfield project to occur.  

“Before I even came to Congress, I was fighting to make sure that the environmental harms caused by Pittsburgh’s industries wouldn’t continue harming our health. This critical $2 million grant will finally close the gap in the efforts to remediate a former industrial site by transforming 70 acres into a solar field and an extension of Frick Park — fulfilling our commitments towards environmental justice,” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “I am so proud that we are continuing the work across state, local, and federal levels to ensure we have affordable energy, clean air, clean water–and are creating jobs in the process.” 

“Pittsburgh is still feeling the environmental impact of its industrial past,” said URA Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger. “The EPA award is a generational investment that will enable us to repurpose land that has long been unusable as additional public recreation space for our residents and visitors. Remediating the site and repositioning the land as a source of renewable energy furthers our mission to foster sustainable prosperity across Pittsburgh.”

Future community meetings, as well as proposals and bidding opportunities will be posted to the URA’s Swisshelm Park Solar project page. 

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About the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) 

The URA is the City of Pittsburgh's economic development enterprise. We are committed to building a prosperous and equitable economy for all of Pittsburgh. We help bridge public and private interests to invest in meaningful, equitable developments that promote housing affordability, economic mobility, entrepreneurship, and neighborhood revitalization. Our work creates and sustains quality jobs, thriving neighborhoods, healthy communities, and sustainable businesses for the benefit of all Pittsburghers.