Jake Bamberger, center, co-owner and partner of CERTA, the company that purchased the old Butler AK Steel Facility for redevelopment, talks to Community Development Corporation of Butler County executive director Joe Saeler, at right, and Butler County chief of economic development Mark Gordon stand in the former AK Steel and Bantam Jeep property in a portion of the old steel plant in November. Butler Eagle File Photo

Nearing the end of demolition, Butler County and others look to make the former AK Steel Plant 2 site a hub for business.

Butler County commissioners on Jan. 19 approved a contract with urban architect firm Moss Architects to help design the future of the Bantam Avenue industrial site for future use.

Community Development Corporation of Butler County executive director Joe Saeler, on left, and Butler County chief of economic development Mark Gordon discuss plans for redevelopment of the former AK Steel and Bantam Jeep property in a portion of the old steel plant in November. Butler Eagle File Photo

“We received a grant from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and we’re developing a reuse plan for the area, and we’re looking for manufacturing to go back into the area on the approximately 40-acre parcel,” said Joe Saeler, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County.

The county’s grant, a $600,000 award from the EPA’s Brownfields Program, aims to help Butler County and other stakeholders assess, clean up and reuse properties contaminated by hazardous substances.

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.