The state's Commonwealth Financing Authority on Tuesday approved a number of grants, many of which will benefit communities in the region.
The CFA, established in 2004, exists to help stimulate economic growth in Pennsylvania and is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Other grants are funded through Act 13, which created the Marcellus Legacy Fund. The CFA is empowered to distribute a portion of impact fees from gas well development to statewide projects that involve abandoned mine drainage abatement and well plugging, sewage treatment, greenways, trails, recreation, watershed restoration and flood control. Money also has been distributed from the state’s Gaming, Economic Development and Tourism Fund.
Money distributed in Western Pennsylvania includes the following:
● $425,000, Harrison Township Water Authority, to construct a water line to serve the Harrison Point mixed-use development and Silver Lake Park.
● $425,000, Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa, to replace water valves in Aliquippa and portions of Hopewell, Raccoon and Potter townships.
● $416,500, West View Water Authority, water supply inter-connection.
● $403,172, Tarentum, to replace a water line on West Eighth Avenue and replace valves and fire hydrants.
● $375,000, University of Pittsburgh Homewood Community Engagement Center, for the center, which is scheduled to open in October. The center will have space to support community-oriented programs like health and wellness services, business development consultation, pro-bono legal assistance, computer/science labs and meeting spaces.
● $350,000, Neville Township, Neville Road water line improvements.
● $337,000, Clairton Municipal Authority, Dry Run sewer rehabilitation.
● $319,430, Springdale, to replace a water line along James Street.
● $310,354, Springdale, to rehabilitate a sewer pump station.
● $300,000, Pittsburgh Opera, to fund its operations during the 2018-19 season.
● $285,000, Harmar Water Authority, to replace a water storage tank.
● $250,000, Sports and Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, for the I-579 Urban Connector Project.
● $237,000, Hill District, for the first phase of a public space and neighborhood park overlooking Downtown.
● $225,000, Bellevue, for the borough’s Memorial Park Project.
● $222,640, Brackenridge, to install a water line along Mile Lock Lane between Parkside and Ninth avenues.
● $210,000, New Kensington Lower Burrell Municipal Authority, for Little Pucketa sewer rehabilitation.
● $206,661, Springdale, to construct a trail along the Allegheny River and construct a kayak ramp at Colfax Street.
● $200,000, Coraopolis Water and Sewer, for Howard Street Sanitary Inflow Removal.
● $200,000, West View, for renovations along Perry Highway and Center Avenue to improve aesthetics and safety.
● $194,242, McKees Rocks, Catherine Street storm sewer separation.
● $194,125, First Tee of Pittsburgh, for construction work on a new clubhouse building/learning center at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course.
● $193,000, Wilkins Penn Joint Water Authority, to upgrade two water storage tanks in Braddock Hills.
● $192,044, Avalon, to assist with the replacement of 500-plus feet of clay pipe sewer in the borough.
● $156,995, Reserve Township, for Irwin Lane water line replacement.
● $137,000, West Homestead, for sewer improvements along New Eighth Avenue.
● $125,000, Port Vue, for a new PVAA Recreation Building.
● $100,000, McKees Rocks Community Development Corp., for work on the Sto-Rox Community Activities Field Project.
● $100,000, Liberty, for repairs of sanitary sewers.
● $100,000, Duquesne, for reservoir and water line repair.
● $100,000, Glassport, for sewer system rehabilitation.
● $100,000, Municipal Authority, waterline replacement.
● $100,000, New Kensington Municipal Sanitary Authority, for sewer rehabilitation.
● $100,000, Monroeville Municipal Authority, for Simpson Run lining.
● $99,819, Pitcairn, Dirty Camp Run sewer rehabilitation.
● $79,942, East Deer, for improvements at East Deer Memorial Park, including renovation of the tennis, hockey and basketball courts.
● $75,250, Chalfant, to make improvements to Chalfant Municipal Park for existing facilities and new construction, including a new swing set and replacing an existing shelter.
● $75,000, Observatory Hill Development Corp., to renovate three properties to provide retail and apartment space.
● $75,000, Plum, for improvement to Renton Park.
● $75,000, Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, for improvements to “O’Connor’s Corner” in the Murray Avenue business corridor.
● $71,945, Versailles, for sanitary sewer rehabilitation.
● $67,000, Creswell Heights Joint Authority, to install new solar mixers at three water storage tanks. The authority provides treated water to four municipal locations in Beaver County.
● $50,000, Turtle Creek, for George Street sanitary sewer replacement.
● $50,000, East McKeesport, for Chicora sanitary sewer replacement.
● $50,000, Turtle Creek, for a sewer line replacement.
● $35,000, Rankin, to assist with renovations at the Rankin Borough ballfield, including rehabilitation to the Harriet Street entrance and walkway to the ballfield, to create a second entrance at Railroad Alley, to remove old basketball and tennis courts, and build a new playground.
● $25,000, Liberty, for the development of a Tot Lot.
● $25,000, Dravosburg, for improvements to Kidsville.
● $25,000, North Braddock, for renovation of a new playground.
● $25,000, Clairton, for its Community Park Trail project.
● $25,000, Wilkins, to repurpose a former municipal ballfield into an outdoor recreation space, including an amphitheater, restrooms, seating and ADA access.
● $25,000, North Braddock, to make repairs to the Verona Street and Brinton playgrounds.
● Unspecified. North Versailles, to renovate restroom facilities to make them ADA compliant at West Wilmerding Memorial Park.
First Published: September 18, 2018, 4:19 p.m.
Updated: September 18, 2018, 4:20 p.m.