The Frog Switch site in Carlisle, where redevelopment plans are underway following significant investment.
Pennsylvania is set to invest more than $10 million for the redevelopment of the former Frog Switch & Manufacturing site in Carlisle, following its closure in June 2023. Governor Josh Shapiro announced a grant and loan totaling $10.2 million to support the transformation of the 27-acre site into a pad-ready location for mixed-use development. Efforts will include site stabilization, demolition, and environmental remediation, with a historic Spanish Mission-style building potentially preserved. The initiative aligns with Pennsylvania’s goal to revitalize underutilized industrial locations and stimulate economic growth.
Pennsylvania is set to invest over $10 million into the redevelopment of the former Frog, Switch & Manufacturing site, located at 600 E. High St. in Carlisle. This initiative comes following the cessation of production at the facility on June 30, 2023. Governor Josh Shapiro announced this financial commitment, which includes a $6.1 million grant and a $4.1 million loan to the Real Estate Collaborative, a subsidiary of the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC).
The site, which encompasses 27 acres, is earmarked to be transformed into a pad-ready location intended for future mixed-use development. The funding allocated to this project is part of the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites program, which aims to stabilize and redevelop underutilized industrial sites throughout the state.
The Real Estate Collaborative was established in 2016 with a focus on repurposing properties that are not being fully utilized. In September 2023, an agreement was finalized for the purchase of the Frog Switch property. The funds provided will be directed towards site stabilization, demolition of existing industrial buildings, and conducting necessary environmental remediation measures.
As part of the redevelopment process, environmental investigations will be conducted to assess potential contaminants on the site, ensuring it is safe for new development. The existing industrial buildings on the property are reported to be in poor condition and deemed not economically or structurally viable for repurposing. The site features over 40 industrial buildings and includes a landfill, with some machinery being as large as a small house, necessitating extensive preparation work prior to redevelopment.
Interestingly, a Spanish Mission-style building located on the property may be preserved due to its good condition and historical significance, adding a unique aspect to the overall redevelopment plan. To enhance safety during the transitional phase, the CAEDC intends to secure the site by erecting a fence, disconnecting utilities, and establishing barricades at entry points.
Once demolition and remediation efforts are completed, the CAEDC plans to solicit redevelopment proposals from private entities and subsequently sell the property. Historically, the Frog Switch site has served industrial purposes for approximately 185 years, beginning its operation as the Carlisle Manufacturing Company in 1898. Over time, the business shifted its focus and most recently produced manganese steel castings for the mining industry.
The decision to cease operations was attributed to various challenges, including international competition and high capital improvement costs. In 2008, the company employed around 240 workers, but the workforce dwindled to merely 30 employees by its closure in June 2023.
This redevelopment initiative is one of eleven projects funded in the first round of the PA SITES program, which has received a total of $64 million for similar revitalization efforts. Future funding rounds for this program are anticipated, suggesting ongoing support for the redevelopment of underutilized properties across Pennsylvania.
The investment in the Frog Switch site signifies a strategic move towards rejuvenating local economies and restoring valuable industrial land for potential future use. By transforming the property, Pennsylvania aims to foster economic growth while addressing environmental concerns associated with the previous industrial activities.
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