Credit: Montgomery County.
Montgomery County planning officials seeking $4 million in federal funds to further clean up efforts on the site of the Montgomery County/Airy Street Prison recently got a green light to apply for a Brownfields Grant.
The seven-figure sum from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would work to provide a clean slate and build momentum for the future of the 35 E. Airy St. facility.
Montgomery County Planning Commission Executive Director Scott France underscored the grant’s significance as he expressed it would be “crucial and helpful to have that accessible” in order to address environmental hazards on the site. Asbestos and lead paint are among the top concerns as officials offered a progress report on the property that’s been the subject of a yearslong saga.
“It’s taking quite a time, but with a project of this complexity, and all the issues associated with it, it kind of necessitates that diligence and that time frame,” France said.
The Airy St. Prison project stemmed from initial plans from county officials back in 2023 to raze the building with the application of a demolition permit, but staunch public opposition led to a pause to proceedings.
The action was not looked favorably upon by community members and preservationists most interested in ensuring the circa 1851 portion, categorized as a “castle on the hill” designed by architect Napoleon LeBrun, remains standing.
The application was ultimately denied by Norristown Historical Architectural Review Board members in October 2023, citing a lack of sufficient paperwork, including an engineering report and enough evidence proving the need for demolition. The postponement was announced in November 2023, and the demolition permit was later withdrawn, saving the structure from the wrecking ball.
France has appeared before county commissioners periodically to discuss next steps related to the prison. He stressed the need for transparency, outreach and compromise when it comes to the search for balance between development and preservation.
France previously confirmed to MediaNews Group that three projects were being considered as part of a previously issued request for expression of interest issued last year; however, county officials hadn’t publicly provided an update for some time. France acknowledged that the process is “still underway.” He added that “no construction is imminent on this process” as county representatives continue “decision-making” procedures.
“We’ve had those interviews and we want to go forward with some extra information. They submitted concepts, but ultimately, the total development of what’s happening there still has to be determined,” said Pattie Guttenplan, deputy director of the Montgomery County Planning Commission.
The 2.8-acre county-owned parcel, which includes the prison and adjacent parking lot, was identified as prime real estate in the Montgomery County seat, but what will eventually occupy the space remains to be seen.
Guttenplan spotlighted residential, retail, public amenities, parking, prison preservation, and 40,000 square feet of “county elements” as potential “targeted uses” in her presentation. While it’s unclear how the county will use some of the space, “voters” and a “health clinic” were included as part of the presentation.
“That has been changed over the last few months, but we’re talking with assets and infrastructure and their team about what exactly they would like to see in that 40,000 square feet there,” Guttenplan said.
While “it’s a very complicated project of process,” Guttenplan said, it’s received support at the county and state levels. The first phase of the environmental audit assessment is done, as officials continue work on the second phase.
Guttenplan added that the federal grant, which does not have a matching requirement, is “very competitive.”
“When it comes down to the cleanup, (it) just has to be done,” she said. “We can’t even if we were to do nothing there, at some point you have to clean up the problem.”
In addition to cleaning, Guttenplan said cost management, equipment, security, and other studies were classified as acceptable uses for funds.
Additionally, the resolution authorizing the grant application submission for the 2026 fiscal year lets federal counterparts “know that there’s a commitment at the county level to do something at this property.”
Norristown resident Olivia Brady was among a handful of people who attended a public hearing on Thursday evening concerning the project’s clean-up efforts.
The session, which was required as part of the grant application, was sparsely attended, but “fairly productive” for Brady, a long-time proponent of preservation and adaptive reuse.
“We’re cautiously optimistic about the project,” Brady told MediaNews Group on Friday. “I got the feeling from the planning commission [that] they really do want to save the castellated portion, at least that, and that makes me feel really excited about the project.”
