community members’ quality of life. As always, I will approach this message in the spirit of my administration’ s motto of“ Working Together for a Better McKeesport,” because I truly believe every goal can be accomplished through collaboration. Continued community partnerships are necessary in City government, and we will continue to connect on issues that impact the McKeesport community.
The Budget Message addresses the services provided through our Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Development, and Recreation departments – not just the Finance matters explained in my introduction.
As we have discussed in previous years, one of the most significant factors of the City’ s operation – and its budget – is public safety. It is our job, as Mayor and Council, to guarantee that our local public safety departments – our police, fire, and EMS services – are meeting our community’ s needs and that they are given the resources to do so with confidence and pride.
McKeesport Rising is more than just the improvements we can see, such as demolition and paving projects throughout the City’ s 12 wards. We have demolished approximately 800 blighted structures in both residential and commercial areas – bringing hope to our existing homeowners and business owners while inviting new development. These efforts will continue on a smaller scale in coming years, based on what our budget can afford. We will utilize Community Development Block Grant funding, and we
are aggressively seeking state and county dollars to further our efforts.
We are working hard to resolve the transportation and safety issues surrounding the closure of the Versailles Avenue Viaduct. While we are working with $ 2.3 million in state dollars to get through the pre-engineering and engineering processes of constructing a new bridge, this project is far from complete. We are confident that Congresswoman Summer Lee and our state officials will be able to find transportation and infrastructure dollars to remove the existing bridge and implement a the design in coming years. Mr. Maglicco and Rep Goughnour recently toured the viaduct with House Transportation Chair Ed Neilson of Philadelphia – explaining the burden that the closure places on community members with transportation barriers as well as travel routes for public safety response.
In addition to the Viaduct project, our team is processing applications for additional infrastructure, neighborhood preservation, and recreation projects throughout the City. This includes GEDTF, LSA, and smaller regional grants, as well as McKeesport’ s annual application to the Allegheny Regional Asset District for Renziehausen Park.
I believe that progress is important. All of you are deeply invested in the McKeesport community, and that is key in every stride we make. You truly live your lives by“ Working Together for a Better McKeesport,” and I couldn’ t be prouder of how far we’ ve come.
CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
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Thanking those who served
McKeesport’ s Veterans Day ceremonies focused on continuing the City’ s longstanding tradition of honor and appreciation for the men and women of our Armed Forces.
In Memorial Park downtown, the city’ s program included presentations by McKeesport Area High School students and local veterans. At the LaRosa Youth Club, families gathered to remember 11 fallen heroes who were killed in action in Vietnam. The club is home to the first Vietnam memorial in Pennsylvania.
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