A proposed retail plaza in Blawnox and O'Hara would be built with a nod to the history of the property, the site of the former Allegheny County Workhouse, officials said last week.

ICON Development has applied for approval of a retail center at Alpha Drive and Freeport Road at the foot of RIDC Park. The land straddles Blawnox and O'Hara. The retail development and the majority of the parking will be in Blawnox.

O'Hara Manager Julie Jakubec said a plaque would be erected to highlight the significance of the property.

The Allegheny County Workhouse was a prison that operated from 1869 to 1971. It was primarily for inmates convicted of minor offenses and many of them were ordered to help maintain an apple orchard and farm nearby.

Prisoners worked on the 1,100-acre farm to grow crops that helped feed the military. Inmates also manufactured brushes, brooms, carpets and chairs, and, provided laundry services.

O'Hara council already approved a land development application for its portion of the project, which would include an entrance and exit to the center from Alpha Drive.

Councilman George Stewart voted for the project because he said the vacant lot has been an eyesore for many years.

Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. Reach her at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib.

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