Philanthropist vigorously opposes lifting restrictions
Editor’s Note: The following is the text of the letter that Uniontown philanthropist Robert E. Eberly sent to state Sen. Richard Kasunic in an effort to stop the conveyance of the Great Meadows Amphitheater property by the county commissioners to a movie production company. I urge you to vigorously oppose any efforts to lift Project 70 restrictions from the 120-acre parcel that lies adjacent to Fort Necessity National Battlefield and is now owned by the County of Fayette.
The battle at Fort Necessity, as you know, was one of the first battles of the Fr ench and Indian War, fought between France and Great Britain for control of North America. George Washington, a 22-year-old colonel, commanded colonial troops. Though Washington and his troops lost the battle, Great Britain prevailed in the war, setting the stage for the American Revolution. If this isn’t land worth protecting, I don’t know what is!
The parcel in question was awarded 30 years of protection under Project 70, which restricts uses to conservation, recreation, and preservation. The land has acted as a protective buffer for the historic Great Meadows, where Washington and his troops made their stand. Now a Hollywood-funded movie producer seeks to turn this historic land into a production lot, and Fayette County’s shortsighted commissioners intend to seek legislative authorization to have Project 70 restrictions lifted from the land. As there are no building height restrictions set for this proposed development, we have no idea what sort of facility to expect.
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Battle at Fort Necessity, efforts are under way by the National Park Service, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and private-sector donors to enhance and improve the battlefield park.
The park will be providing the American people a new $12 million visitor center to better interpret local history, and will also remove all non-historic buildings from the cultural landscape surrounding the fort.
The intrinsic economic and quality-of-life benefits that Fort Necessity brings to Fayette County are irreplaceable.
A film studio, which could certainly be built elsewhere in the county, does not justify the sacrifice of this treasure. Please reject any request to lift Project 70 restrictions from county land. Urge the Fayette County Commissioners to find other, more suitable property for this studio project. Please protect our history, our county and our country.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Robert E. Eberly