Area leaders hope the future of the soon-to-be-shuttered Penn State New Kensington campus in Upper Burrell is one that will benefit the community’s long-term needs.
“I think it’s important that we continue to engage the community that lives there, and how and what they’d like to see,” said state Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville. “I hope it’s a very transparent and well thought out process that engages the community with meaningful feedback.”
In a virtual meeting Thursday, Penn State Board of Trustees voted 25-8 to close its New Kensington, Fayette, DuBois, Mont Alto, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre and York campuses because of demographic shifts, declining enrollment and finances.
Trustees who voted in favor of the closures cited the abundance of higher education institutions in Pennsylvania, student experience and success factors at the Commonwealth Campuses. Those opposed felt the process was rushed and advocated for more time for the campuses to innovate themselves.
As the colleges wind down over the next two years, university officials say they will work with each community’s political and business leaders at the local, state and federal level, as well as area residents and developers, to fill the vacant properties — whether that future use involves Penn State or not.
Cooper said it’s important that Penn State gets community feedback when repurposing its closing campuses. There’s many ideas for the property’s future, she said, and it should be something that meets the long-term needs of the New Kensington area.
“There’s a lot of different things to look at,” she said. “They should bring all community leaders and citizens together to talk about it, and see what makes sense going forward.”
Dan DeBone, president and CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, agrees. While the news of Penn State New Kensington closing is devastating, DeBone is optimistic the property can be transformed to continue to advance career readiness and education in the New Kensington region.
“It’s important to continue to develop some type of use that’s going to be workforce-related,” he said.
Penn State plans to maintain its Invent Penn State’s Corner Launchbox and Digital Foundry in New Kensington, university officials say. Those outlets have been instrumental in the revitalization of downtown New Kensington, local leaders say.
“New Kensington has really turned around, and millions have been invested to the area,” DeBone said.
State Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, said in a statement that “rightsizing” is necessary in higher education across the state, although still being disappointed at losing Penn State New Kensington in his legislative district.
“When it comes to the New Kensington campus, conversations will need to take place to ensure the Launch Box and Digital Foundry they have supported continue, and we figure out a path to make the property even more productive than it is now,” Pittman said.
The 72-acre Upper Burrell campus is zoned for community center/mixed use, according to the township.
Pittman said it’s Penn State’s obligation to make sure the campuses are repurposed and brought to a better use in the communities where they’re located.
“This is a responsibility the university bears, and their efforts must be supported by the state,” he said. “We cannot allow closed satellite campuses to become blighted properties. The facilities must be repurposed in a thoughtful way.”
Burrell School District Superintendent Shannon Wagner hopes the property can continue to be a space that educates people in the community and surrounding area for workforce development.
Upper Burrell Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III said he hasn’t been in touch with Penn State officials over use of the property.
He’d personally like to see something “high technology” there, suggesting perhaps the new TECfusions data center planned at the nearby former Alcoa Technical Center could have a presence at the PSNK property.
“It’s hard to say what’s going to happen,” Walker said.
