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LEWISTOWN -- John Zangari, a candidate for state representative in the 171st Legislative District, said Thursday he would introduce legislation to turn land associated with the former State Correctional Institution at Rockview into a state park.
Zangari said the proposal would be his first piece of legislation if elected.
"It will be the very first piece of legislation I will introduce if given the honor of being your state representative," Zangari said.
The state announced more than a year ago that it would close the correctional facility, raising questions about the future of thousands of acres of state-owned land and requiring more than 650 employees to relocate, according to Zangari's campaign.
Zangari said creating a state park would protect the property from private development while preserving farmland and the Spring Creek watershed.
"We all know in our gut what will likely happen, our land sold off in sweetheart deals to politically connected developers," Zangari said. "My plan would preserve this rich farmland for our farmers to till, protect our Spring Creek watershed, and prevent data centers from ever getting a foothold on this vast property."
Zangari said he plans to reach out to local officials and other stakeholders to discuss the proposal and invited public officials to support the initiative.
For more information, contact Zangari at (717) 513-2632 or votezangari@gmail.com.