City hopes to demolish 150 vacant structures in 2018
$2.5M plan includes other improvements
McKeesport is holding the line on taxes and making a $2.5 million investment in infrastructure improvements and the demolition of vacant houses in 2018.
“Our goal is to have at least 150 houses down next year,” Mayor Michael Cherepko said of the first phase of an initiative he is calling “McKeesportRising.”
“We have all heard stories rooted in ancient folklore of the phoenix rising from its own ashes,” Mr. Cherepko read in his budget message to council, which approved a $23.1 million budget on Dec. 6.
“This image continues to serve as a striking metaphor for any spiritual, societal or economic rebirth, and it is perfect for describing the type of renaissance many McKeesporters believe is necessary to rebuild our community,” he said.
The $2.5 million that is being set aside for capital improvements next year will come from the sale of the city’s municipal sewage authority, which is set to close in the coming weeks,
bringing the city more than $40 million.
Vacant houses that may be demolished are in all city neighborhoods, including the Versailles Avenue, Walnut Street and Eden Park Boulevard areas, the mayor said.
“It’s about changing morale in the community,” Mr. Cherepko said of tearing down vacant structures.
“It’s no secret that blight can have a detrimental impact on the quality of life in any community. Blight not only disheartens residents and brings down the community’s collective morale, but it actually breeds crime,” he said.
“Everyone who travels through McKeesport’s neighborhoods is aware that our housing stock is not the only thing to have deteriorated over the years,” Mr. Cherepko said, referring to road conditions.
Most of the funds from the sale of the Municipal Authority of the City of McKeesport will be invested, he said, but in addition to demolition, some of the money needs to be used for paving.
Also, part of the $2.5 million will be used to buy equipment such as an asphalt zipper and asphalt mixer and rejuvenator to repair and maintain city roads.
The equipment will enable the city’s public works crew to reclaim what is left of the current road surfaces and reapply the materials in the filling of potholes and the construction of new road surfaces, he said.
“This process is important because it recycles materials we already have and it uses our own manpower,” Mr. Cherepko said.
In the conclusion of his budget message, Mr. Cherepko invited everyone to stay tuned and pay attention during the “McKeesport Rising” project as residents will “witness a true rebirth of our fine city.”