Sen. Nick Pisciottano announces grants for EF, City of McKeesport projects
The money is awarded through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
The money is awarded through Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
State Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-West Mifflin, announced millions of dollars in grant funding for projects in his district, including in McKeesport and the Elizabeth Forward School District.
Elizabeth Forward will receive $1.8 million for the construction of a new high school gymnasium. The City of McKeesport was awarded $750,000 for concrete restoration of the Lysle Boulevard parking garage. River Materials, located in the McKeesport Industrial park, was granted $300,000 to renovate 3.82 acres of land at 211 Center St.
The funds, authorized by Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, were awarded through the state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
“These grants will provide much-needed financial support for projects that will benefit residents for years to come,”Pisciottano said. “Investing in health care, education and local government infrastructure is essential for strengthening our communities, and I am proud to help bring these funds back to our district.”
EF started renovations to the high school in September following a devastating fire in February 2023.
The school board approved $74 million in July for the high school’s reconstruction.
The district was awarded a $1.6 million grant in October to replace HVAC systems and boilers damaged in the fire.
Pisciottano credited state Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth Township, with collaborating on the grant for EF.
“By securing this funding, we are ensuring that our residents have access to top-tier health care, modernized educational facilities, and efficient government services,” Pisciottano said.
McKeesport has been working toward reopening the Lysle Avenue parking garage for years.
PennDOT awarded the city a $2.9 million grant for the garage’s renovation and to re-route a part of Great Allegheny Passage trail.
The garage was closed in 1999 after parts of its concrete started to deteriorate. It originally opened in the late 1950s.
Mayor Michael Cherepko said in February that the city hopes to have the garage open by the end of the year.
McKeesport council authorized a contract between the city and Kucich Construction for Phase 2 of the garage’s rehabilitation for a maximum cost of $733,000 at last month’s meeting.
River Materials purchased 18 acres of land at the McKeesport industrial park from the Regional Industrial Development Corporation in two separate sales in 2019 and 2021 to build a intermodal facility.
River Materials, which is part of a Braddock-based network of companies, operates in steel recycling and transfers materials such as coal between barges and railroad cars.
