Grant sought for Daily News site

McKeesport is taking steps to remodel the former McKeesport Daily News building at Walnut Street and Lysle Boulevard by applying for a $200,000 grant.

The city acquired the building last month through a donation from Trib Total Media, which ceased operations of the DailyNewsattheendof 2015.

Council voted at its March 7 meeting to apply for a state Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund Grant to renovate and retrofit the building, which is being referred to as the multimedia building,for its new tenants.

“We’re excited about what’s taking place at the Daily News building,” Mayor MichaelCherepko said.

Point Park University’s multimedia department is projected to be the building’s anchor tenant. Mr. Cherepko said the Mon Valley Independent newspaper and McKeesport’s Tube City Online venture are going to open officesin the building.

Mr. Cherepko said the building is solid with its HVAC system and windows in good condition, but it needs to be retrofitted to better houseits new tenants.

Council also approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement between the city and the Redevelopment Authority of the City of McKeesport. The authority will provide for the building’s operationand management.

Regarding parking for the multimedia building, Mr. Cherepko said the city is analyzing the parking garage next door. For now, he said an elevated piece of land adjacent to John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, where a fountain currently sits, will be paved to provide about 25 parking spacesacross the street.

Mr. Cherepko said his goal is to have the first tenant into thebuildingsometimeinMay.

In other business, council approved increasing the city’s mercantile license and business privilege license to $100 per year each. The rate previouslyhad been $10 per year for more than 30 years. City business owners will have to pay forthe licenses every year.