Churchill Residents Confront Borough Council Members Over Amazon Distribution Center Proposal
CHURCHHILL, Pa. (KDKA) -- Before a Churchill Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, a group of people protested a proposed Amazon distribution center.
If the plan gets approved, the old George Westinghouse Research and Technology Park will become a distribution center. Council did not discuss the Amazon topic during Tuesday's meeting.
The council's president has previously said it would bring life to an abandoned property, create jobs and bring millions of dollars in tax revenue.
Churchill Future — a group protesting the plan — is worried about air quality, noise, traffic and tree removal.
"Amazon claims to be environmentally conscious, but their actions for choosing a site like this are unconscionable," said Sandy Fox, an organizer for Churchill Future. "Why would you choose a 133-acre green space with 1,400 mature trees, which you plan to demolish and level to build your warehouse, if you are environmentally conscious?"
But things got heated Tuesday when some protesters went inside the borough building and confronted Council President Jay Dworin, who has not taken a position on a potential distribution center.
"It's a battle that we are not willing to give up," said Churchill resident Jennifer Korona Huffman.
In the end, the protesters will wait for a public hearing on July 19. They want it to be an in-person meeting, but it will be over Zoom.
"I don't feel pressure. I feel pressure to do the right thing for Churchill," said Dworin.
Until then, the fight continues for some residents.
"They are going to destroy this community," said Churchill resident Mike Stout. "Flood these streets, jam them with trucks, chop down 1,400 trees, destroy acres and acres of wetlands and wildlife and distrust this community."
KDKA's Jennifer Borrasso reached out to Amazon for comment but has not heard back.