A six-year, $3 million redevelopment plan was announced Friday in McKeesport.
The city will receive $500,000 per year for the next six years to be used for addressing and improving the housing stock, developing the downtown area and helping to increase tourism and recreation. Projects include the renovation and redevelopment of the long-closed Penn-McKee Hotel, the repair of blighted properties and the renovation of dozens of owner-occupied homes.
Local, state, and national officials were on hand for the announcement at McKeesport’s Tube City Center.
Mayor Michael Cherepko, who in his remarks quoted his slogan, “working together for a better McKeesport,” said the $3 million investment, “truly exemplifies what that means.”
Mr. Cherepko added that the announcement of the funding is “just another aspect” of the city’s ongoing McKeesport Rising project, which aims at eliminating blight.
“There’s a lot of good going on,” Mr. Cherepko said. “Things are starting to happen. We have development throughout five or six areas of town,” he said, adding the city’s RIDC business park is nearly full of tenants and there are plans in the works to renovate the former People’s Building.
“There is a sense of pride about McKeesport,” Mr. Cherepko said.
“This is an exciting day,” said Congressman Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills. “This is a very exciting time for all of use who know and live in the Mon Valley,” he said.
McKeesport is receiving funding through the state Neighborhood Assistance Program, a $26.5 million program recently approved by Gov. Tom Wolf to help assist distressed or low-income areas. The program also encourages the private sector to invest in the areas in which they do business by providing tax credits to businesses that donate to help support communities.
In McKeesport, that program is being funded by Duquesne Light, First Commonwealth Bank, Noble Environmental and UPMC Health Plan.
“The major investment by these major corporations prove the future of McKeesport is bright,” said Dennis Davin, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
First Published: December 13, 2019, 7:39 p.m.
