Velodrome may put Brownsville comeback on track
After years of failed redevelopment ideas, Brownsville's depressed downtown finally might have its salvation with a proposed Olympic-styled bicycling arena, a member of the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday.
The project could involve Ernest and Marilyn Liggett - the controversial Monroeville real-estate speculators who own many of the vacant, blighted downtown properties.
Within the last two months, C.B. Richard Ellis, an internationally known real-estate management firm, has briefed borough officials about the potential construction of the track-cycling arena - called a velodrome.
The arena, in particular, could attract racing events by USA Cycling, the official organization recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Chamber of Commerce member Ray Koffler said yesterday that he believes the project could entice the development of restaurants and motels in downtown.
Koffler also expressed his hope that the arena construction could lead to the advanced completion of the Uniontown-to-Brownsville link of the Mon-Fayette Expressway and the re-emergence of Brownsville General Hospital as an emergency center.
"This could be the salvation of this town," said Koffler, who has almost 50 years experience in business. "You need that core, and that core is the velodrome."
Brownsville Borough Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to ask Ellis to provide a cost analysis for a feasibility study for the project.
Koffler said representatives of the real-estate firm have estimated the project - which would include other developments, such as a parking lot and dormitory - to cost $125 million.
The Pittsburgh architectural firm Astorino, which worked on the Pittsburgh Pirates' 6-year-old stadium, PNC Park, has made a rendering of the initial proposal, he said.
Jack Norris, chief executive officer of Ellis' Pittsburgh affiliate, declined to comment. A spokesperson for Astorino did not return a message yesterday.
The early plans show that the second indoor velodrome in the United States would be located in the Snowden Square section of the borough and would involve four properties owned by the Liggetts, said Koffler.
Since the early 1990s, the Liggetts -- or companies they operate -- have owned more than 100 properties in Brownsville. Residents and elected officials have complained that many of the empty structures are eyesores and safety hazards.
The couple had announced plans for a strip mall and an American Indian casino that never materialized.
Lee Grimm, the Liggetts' Pittsburgh attorney, has said they've been working on a new development plan since fall 2005 but declined to elaborate. Grimm did not return a phone call yesterday.
"Brownsville's known not for any attraction, but because (Ernest) Liggett owns it," Koffler said. "And it's falling in."
Earlier this week, the press secretary for state House Minority Leader H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, said USA Cycling has contacted DeWeese's staff about the velodrome. The organization expressed an interest in finding a "semi-rural, East Coast area" for the arena, said spokesman Tom Andrews.
A spokesman for the 58,000-member USA Cycling, though, said its mission is not to seek construction of any facilities. The organization conducts a bidding process for facilities to play host to particular events, said Andy Lee, marketing and communications director.
"If guys are out there wanting to get the project off the ground, we will certainly advise them," Lee said.
Of the 22 velodromes in the country, the only permanent, wooden, indoor track of international standard is in Carson, Calif.
The closest velodrome to Southwestern Pennsylvania is Lehigh Valley Velodrome in Trexlertown, Lehigh County.
"That's kind of been the unofficial home of track cycling in the United States," Lee said. "If you grow up in Trexlertown, you grow up on a track."
Cycling is increasing in popularity in the region, according to Henry Dimmick, a Butler resident who is president of the 200-member Allegheny Cycling Association.
Dimmick said it's realistic that a velodrome in Brownsville would attract racers and fans from several nearby states.
"Certainly in this category, it's five to six hours in any direction to the next velodrome-type arena," he said.
Chris Fore
