By JEFF STITT
[email protected]
The Allegheny Regional Asset District released its 2019, $108.5 million preliminary budget, and McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park, along with four Mon Valley-based nonprofits or community organizations, are expected to garner hundreds of thousands of dollars from it.
RAD supports and finances regional assets in the categories of libraries, parks and recreation, cultural, sports and civic facilities and programs.
RAD receives half of the proceeds from the 1 percent Allegheny County sales and use tax, while the other half is paid directly to the county and municipal governments by the state treasurer.
The preliminary budget includes recommendations for operating grants, capital grants and a special $2.5 million fund for new projects in honor of RAD’s 25th anniversary.
At a RAD hearing last month, McKeesport City Administrator Tom Maglicco, parks and recreation Director Jim Brown and Mayor Michael Cherepko’s assistant Jennifer Vertullo asked the board for $738,548 in operational funds and $170,000 in capital funds to be used at Renzie Park in 2019. If the preliminary budget passes as is, McKeesport will receive the exact amount of money it asked for.
“The mayor and our team are pleased to hear of this news,” Maglicco said. “Can’t wait til it’s the final budget so we can start planning next years renovations.”
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