MAYOR’S
Corner
MICHAEL CHEREPKO
W
ith the introduction of “The McKeesport Rising
Project,” 2018 was an exciting year for the City
of McKeesport. My administration set out to
improve our city’s aesthetics and infrastructure,
while laying the groundwork for sustainability in years to
come. As I’ve discussed many times, this was made possible
through the sale of the Municipal Authority of the City of
McKeesport to Pennsylvania American Water – a deal that
allowed us to break even and keep our payroll commitment
while taking on necessary projects to benefit our taxpayers in
2016, 2017, and 2018. This has been a major factor in saving
the City of McKeesport from Act 47 municipal bankruptcy.
As we look ahead to 2019, we will be operating with a
balanced budget $24,548,278.00, which includes another $3
million set aside for “McKeesport Rising.” In 2018, more than
300 abandoned homes were condemned and contracted
for demolition. In January of 2019, we are set to condemn
another 150. In terms of infrastructure improvements, we
invested in an Asphalt Zipper for public works crews to do
their own milling – saving time and money on paving projects.
We also contracted citywide paving jobs, some of which were
completed before winter and others are set for spring.
We made significant improvements to the pavilions and
picnic shelters in Renziehausen Park, thanks to an $80,000
capital grant from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD)
and funds supplemented by “McKeesport Rising.” We made
pavilions more attractive and accessible by replacing roofs,
adding ADA-compliant ramps, and installing new grills. As we
look ahead to FY-2019, we will utilize a record allotment of
$170,000 in RAD capital funding to construct a new pavilion
and landscaped parking lot near the McKeesport Regional
Heritage Center and to add new swings and a toddler play
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MCKEESPORT AREA
area to Renzie’s central playground. With more families using
this play space since the addition of the Renzie Spray Ground,
we want to be sure there’s something fun and age-appropriate
for all children.
With a $200,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism
Fund grant, we look forward to the 2019 grand opening a new
dog park in a previously undeveloped portion of Renziehausen
Park. This enhances our already beautiful asset and has
potential to make our park even more appealing to residents
from across Southwestern Pennsylvania. As we expand our
walking trail through this area, it will create the opportunity
to extend McKeesport’s leg of the Great Allegheny Passage to
divert travelers to Renziehausen Park.
Our local trail system already brings cyclists and hikers
from around the world through McKeesport with interest in
traveling the Great Allegheny Passage and the McKeesport
Loop. Yet another opportunity for further development of
this trail is coming to McKeesport thanks to the vision of our
former mayor, state Senator James R. Brewster, who secured
$3 million in PennDOT Multi-Modal Funds to construct an
elevated riverfront trail and develop a scenic point at the
confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers.
All of these recreational assets will continue to draw people
into our City, and make McKeesport a wonderful place to live
and visit.
In this edition of our In McKeesport Area magazine, readers
will see highlights from community events taking place during
the holiday season – the Halloween Parade, Thanksgiving
meals, Salute to Santa Parade, Festival of Trees and more. I
wish everyone the best as we look ahead to 2019, and I can’t
wait share more of the good news happening in the City of
McKeesport.