Hays Hilltop

In the City of Pittsburgh, there is a 635-acre forested site on the hilltop above Hays, bordered by Becks Run Rd., Glass Run Rd., and East Carson Street and overlooking the Monongahela River. This is the largest undeveloped tract of land in the City of Pittsburgh. On this site, a Beaver County developer, Charles J. Betters, has proposed to mine coal and build a racetrack and casino. Right now the land is green space, approachable only on quiet residential streets. Though abused by LTV Steel, who mined it twice and dumped refuse on the site, the land has recovered for 50 years and is now home to birds and wildlife and used as a park by nearby residents. Read more below (most recent updates appear first):

Hays Woods: a website sponsored by a broad coalition of individuals and groups (including GASP) opposing the Hays Woods development proposal

Neighbors attend race track hearing (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 5, 2004)

GASP Comments on ACHD Permit # 0679-I001 (Rachel Filippini, March 4, 2004)

Testimony for ACHD Permit # 0679-I001 (Kate St. John, March 4, 2004)

Update on the Hays Strip Mine and Racetrack (GASP Hotline, Winter 2004)

City Council OKs zoning change for gaming site (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 1, 2004)

Zoning change aids C J. Betters’ project (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 1, 2004)

Race to build track neck-in-neck (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 28, 2003)

Zoning changes for Hays gaming site win tentative OK (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 23, 2003)

Racetrack proposal clears hurdle (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 23, 2003)

Track, casino plan in Pittsburgh is debated (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 19, 2003)

Council hears from opponents of racetrack plan (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 19, 2003)

Track developer well-connected (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 18, 2003)

Groups discuss alternatives to casino plan (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, December 14, 2003)

Court to decide who gets racetrack license (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 11, 2003)

Plan for Hays racetrack gallops on (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 19, 2003)

October 7 Deadline for Mining Permit Comments (GASP Hotline, Fall 2003)

Proposed Land Development in Pittsburgh (GASP Hotline, Summer 2003)

GASP’s Comments to Planning Commission Concerning Issuance of Zoning Change (October 2003)

GASP’s Comments to Pittsburgh City Council (September 2003)

Fear of Hays strip mine won’t go away (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, September 19, 2003)

Officials want hearings on Hays mine pollution (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 23, 2003)

Coal-mining plan details spark doubt, skepticism (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 20, 2003)

Residents angry over mining plan (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 17, 2003)

A short fuse on mining: Baldwin Borough residents worry about blasting effects (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 17, 2003)

It’s All About the Coal (PULP, July 17, 2003)

Citizens Confused by letter detailing Hays blasting operation (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 16, 2003)

Meeting on mining to address concerns (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, July 15, 2003)

How Green Was My Valley (PULP, May 15, 2003)