cKeesport CITY OF MCKEESPORT NEWS
Neighborhood ballfield improvements under way
The City of McKeesport will apply local and federal funds to the renovation of two community ball fields.
In late April, Kucich Construction began work on a near- $ 210,000 contract to renovate Duncan Field in the city’ s Christy Park neighborhood and Fawcett Field in the Fawcett Plan. The project, which was bid publicly in March, is funded by $ 170,000 in the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’ s Community Development Block Grant funding and a $ 40,000 city contribution.
With funding from the Allegheny Regional Asset District making improvements to the seven ballfields in Renziehausen Park over the past several years, city officials chose to apply a portion of its annual Community Development Block Grant funding to improve the fields
Gergely Park is set for Phase II of its renovation, using community development funds to reconstruct amphitheater seating along the Youghiogheny riverfront.
In 2017, the Gergely Park fishing pier was reconstructed – upgrading it from wood to concrete – in a $ 173,200 Phase I contract with Lutterman Excavating using a portion of McKeesport’ s Community Development Block Grant funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban. In 2018, Lutterman will demolish the existing amphitheater, improve storm water drainage in the area, and install landing pads, railings, and benches. on the fringes of the community as part of its 2017 Action Plan.
“ These neighborhood fields are used on a daily basis during the youth baseball season,” Mayor Michael Cherepko said.“ Youth sports is a way to keep our children active and involved in a structured program that will teach them cooperation, team building, and other responsibilities that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. My administration always will support initiatives and developments that provide positive life-learning experiences for our children.”
McKeesport Community Development Director A. J. Tedesco, who manages the city’ s annual HUD allotment and other grants, said the ballfield project is aligned with McKeesport’ s mission to provide safe neighborhoods and a variety of unique opportunities for residents of all ages.
Gergely Park getting amphitheater upgrade
28 MCKEESPORT AREA
The Phase II contract is valued at $ 62,600.
McKeesport Community Development Director A. J. Tedesco, who manages the city’ s annual HUD allotment and other grants, said Gergely Park is an important investment because of its proximity to the recreational hub that is McKees Point.
“ The marina, the Palisades and the Great Allegheny Passage are attractions that bring people from an array of different communities into the City of McKeesport,” Tedesco said.“ Making improvements to Gergely Park will allow it to be utilized in ways we haven’ t seen in recent years, and our vision is to bring back riverfront recreation.”
Bowman Avenue to be resurfaced this summer
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100,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant will allow the city to start work on the road’ s problematic“ S” curve. The grant will cover just over half of the initial contract for Phase I, which includes the full depth removal of the existing roadway and the installation of a 5-inch binder course, an additional 3-inch binder course, and a 2-inch wearing course. Upcoming phases will make similar improvements along the entirety of Bowman Avenue – setting a summer timeline for the whole project.
“ Bowman Avenue is an important artery taking the people of our community where they need to go,” Community Development Director A. J. Tedesco said.“ Not only is it utilized by the people of the Highland Grove neighborhood, people from all over McKeesport use it on a daily basis.”
Public Works Director Steve Kondrosky described Bowman Avenue as having been in need of major repairs for many years.
“ The current construction of Bowman Avenue limits the way we approach its repairs,” Kondrosky said.“ We are stuck in a seasonal cycle of patching potholes that continue to form in the asphalt overlay and expose the brick underneath. Investing the necessary time and funding into a full reconstruction will give Bowman Avenue the stability it needs to withstand its daily traffic.”
Mayor Michael Cherepko said such a project would not be possible without the support of state Senator James R. Brewster, who played a significant role in securing CITF funds for Phase I and encouraging the city to pursue other funding sources for additional phases.
The“ S” curve phase will cost a total of $ 181,260 in a contract awarded to Morgan Excavating LP during McKeesport’ s May 2 council meeting. The city applied for an additional state grant, and has the ability to use Liquid Fuels funding to cover any remaining balance once that award is considered.
“ We are working hand in hand with Senator Brewster to ensure that the state government understands the value of infrastructure projects in the City of McKeesport,” Cherepko said.“ Because he consistently speaks on behalf of our community, McKeesport has access to funding sources that will allow us to make the improvements our community deserves.”