City to condemn houses, create dog park

Grants will fund off-leash area, razing properties

Several dilapidated houses in McKeesport will be condemned and possibly torn down, and a dog park will be added to Renziehausen Park.

Council voted unanimously May 3 to begin the process of condemning and demolishing several properties that Mayor Michael Cherepko said he has received complaints about.

Funds to demolish the properties will come from a community development block grant, he said.

A list of the properties to be demolished will be available at the June meeting.

Mr. Cherepko announced that a dog park will be created along the walking trail in Renziehausen Park.

The off-leash park has been a goal for a number years of the mayor, state Sen. James Brewster, DM c K e e s p o r t , and the McKeesport Trail Commission.

The park is to be paid for with a Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant through Allegheny County.

In addition, the walking trail will be extended by about 1 mile using grant funds. Construction on the trail is expected to begin soon.

Council also voted unanimously to support the building of the Mon-Fayette Expressway to connect Route 51 to Interstate 376 (Parkway East).

Mr. Cherepko called the road a “critical component” for the Mon Valley to flourish again.

The mayor also said the city should know by the end of June whether the state has awarded a permit to PurePenn LLC to locate a 32,000-square-foot medical marijuana growing and processing facility at 321 Locust St. in the Regional Industrial Development on specifics. rental properties, it’s important Corp.’s Riverplace The McKeesport Farmers that our tenants understand Industrial Center. Market will open for their rights and that

The state’s medical marijuana the season June 10 in Renziehausen our landlords understand law passed last year Park and be their responsibilities,” said allows two grower/processors open every Saturday A.J. Tedesco, McKeesport’s in the 11-county region through the summer. community development director. that includes Allegheny Mr. Cherepko reported County. on a workshop held April The mayor told those attending

McKeesport council in 26 for residents to learn the workshop March unanimously approved about housing, including about the city’s decision to the application from renting, selling and lending. implement an ordinance PurePenn LLC. Mr that calls for inspections of Cherepko emphasized that it McKeesport works with rental properties. is not a done deal yet that the U.S. Department of “This is just one more PurePenn will receive one of Housing and Urban Development step toward guaranteeing two permits issue by the to offer such educational the people of McKeesport state. There are similar proposals opportunities in the are not forced to live in deplorable for Rankin and Findlay. interest of providing fair conditions,” he housing. said.

An energy facilty also is “In the city of considering locating in the McKeesport, where more RIDC center, Mr. Cherepko than 50 percent of our housing said, but he could not elaborate stock is made up of