McKeesport
Rising
We’ve all heard the hype about Mayor
Michael Cherepko’s McKeesport Rising
Project, but do we truly know what the buzz
is all about? Take time to read about the
public safety, economic development, blight
removal, budgeting, and programming that
goes into McKeesport Rising.
SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS:
Committing to public safety
across McKeesport
McKeesport’s primary focus for public
safety is the prevention of crime through
intelligent policing, collaboration with other
agencies, and making sure local police have
critical resources.
In 2018, the City welcomed modernized
safety measures to enhance security and
improve emergency services.
McKeesport police partnered with
experts in law enforcement to surveil and
track crime moving throughout the Mon
Valley. The goal is simple – remove hotspots
for crime, monitor traffic, and increase
efficiency between agencies.
McKeesport police work in partnership
with Allegheny County District Attorney
Stephen A. Zappala Jr. to remove narcotics
and weapons from City streets. Nearly one
hundred crime-prevention cameras were
installed in 2018, with funding for more
intersections made available in 2019 –
allowing McKeesport police to work with
regional agencies to identify suspects
quickly using a simple vehicle description
or partial license plate number logged by
advanced camera systems at every major
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MCKEESPORT AREA
intersection in McKeesport. Being able to
track crimes like hit-and-run accidents,
shootings, robberies, and more will lead
to the prevention of such crimes, because
suspects will avoid the risk of getting caught.
These measures are taking place at a
critical time when McKeesport police have
introduced a Violent Crimes Unit to patrol
streets during peak hours of activity.
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CREATING JOBS:
Attracting investments by improving
infrastructure •
McKeesport made new business
development a top priority:
• Keystone Basement Systems, Lampert’s
Fine Meats and Deli, Christy Park Cones,
Puzzlers Restaurant & Lounge, G.I. Joe
Auto Care, and Vegely Welding have taken
advantage of Enterprise Zone programs
that offer revolving loans for business
expansion. With private investments,
Eat’n Park, State Tire, Senior Care Plaza,
and Pennzoil Quick Lube have improved
their storefronts.
• Popular chains including Dunkin Donuts,
Speedway, ALDI, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet,
O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Family Dollar and
Dollar General (the leading national •
•
small-box retailer) are thriving in
McKeesport.
The newest manufacturing and
industry centers include PurePenn LLC,
Durabond Industries, Vegley Welding,
American Textile Co., and TriWire
Engineering Solutions.
UPMC McKeesport, the City’s largest
employer, has grown from a well-
known community hospital to a high-
ranking hospital within the UPMC
Health System.
With the recent acquisition of the
Common Ground building and The
Daily News building, Mayor Cherepko is
pleased to be working with high-profile
tenants Penn State Greater Allegheny,
Point Park University, Allegheny County
District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.,
PurePenn LLC, Flashover Fire Apparatus,
and Tube City Community Media.
PennDOT invested nearly $13 million
in the resurfacing, signaling, and ADA-
accommodating of Lysle Boulevard.
This enhancement was a fitting
investment to complement all of the
work done by private business owners.
Developer Jonathan Stark purchased
the People’s Bank Building through the