Senator Brewster Announces $100,000 Grant for Trail Project

Senator Brewster Announces $100,000 Grant for Trail Project

Harrisburg, September 21, 2022 – Today, State Senator Jim Brewster announced a Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) grant for the Yough Riverfront Trail Improvement project (Phase 3) in Versailles Borough. The project received $100,000 from the CFA’s Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP).

“These funds provide an important investment in the region,” said Sen. Brewster. “I’m happy to see state funds support spaces that can be enjoyed by all who live in and visit our communities.”

Additional CFA grants awarded in the 45th Senatorial District include:

  • Borough of Pitcairn, The Joseph Markosek Sports Complex Improvements – $121, 931
  • Clairton Industrial Center LLC, Clairton Redevelopment Well Plugging Project – $150,000
  • Plum Borough, Plum Borough PRP Stormwater Improvements – $73,203

A park project planned for Castle Shannon Borough, a new area of Sen. Brewster’s district, was also awarded $125,000 from the CFA.

More information about CFA grants and programs are available online.

Brewster:  Local Communities to Receive More Than $1.3 Million to Fight Blight

Brewster:  Local Communities to Receive More Than $1.3 Million to Fight Blight

HARRISBURG, May 25, 2021 – Local projects aimed at remediating blight and revitalizing local communities were awarded more than $1.3 million in state grant money today, state Sen. Jim Brewster announced.

Brewster, a former mayor of McKeesport who held a virtual public hearing in March on improving Pennsylvania’s blight remediation efforts, said the grants will help local communities fund their local efforts and stabilize neighborhoods.

The grants were approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority as part or their Blight Remediation Program.

“Run-down and abandoned buildings hamper local efforts to attract new residents and businesses and grow the tax base,” Brewster said.  “These grants are important investments in communities that will pay dividends in the years to come.”

Among the leading beneficiaries is the City of Arnold, which was approved for a $300,000 grant to demolish 27 blighted properties as part of its Blight Remediation Plan.  The money will go toward acquisition, demolition and administrative costs.  Arnold has the highest building vacancy rate in Westmoreland County.  The Westmoreland County Land Bank will also receive $300,000 for its overall blight remediation efforts.

The Redevelopment Authority of the City of New Kensington was approved for a $298,000 grant to rehabilitate the iconic Dattola Theater which has been closed for more than 35 years. The project will replace the roof, abate asbestos and restore structural stability to the building that local officials hope will serve as a catalyst for future “Main Street” development in the city.

The City of McKeesport will also receive nearly $300,000 to restore and rebuild properties along 5th Avenue and Shaw Avenue in the city.

Also receiving funds:

  • Borough of Dravosburg – $20,000 to demolish two blighted and unsafe residential buildings.
  • Borough of Wilmerding – $30,000 to demolish 10 abandoned buildings.
  • Tri-COG Land Bank – $190,000 to demolish two buildings and renovate four others in six different municipalities.
  • Steel Rivers Council of Governments – $30,000 to demolish 12 properties in the boroughs of Glassport and Versailles.
  • Borough of Liberty – $45,000 to demolish an abandoned and unsafe school building and turn the land over for recreation.
  • Borough of Elizabeth – $68,310 to demolish four abandoned buildings to pave the way for future construction.
  • Borough of East Pittsburgh – $25,000 to plan for remediation of as many as 80 properties as part of a comprehensive blight plan.

For more details on other projects in the 45th District that will see state investment, click here.

Brewster: $3.7 Million in Water, Sewer Grants Approved

Brewster: $3.7 Million in Water, Sewer Grants Approved

McKeesport – August 19, 2020 – More than $3.7 million in state grant funding for water and sewer projects was approved for municipalities in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved grants for 16 projects in Brewster’s district through their Small Water and Sewer and H2O programs.  All told, there were 11 grants in Allegheny and five in Westmoreland.

“Securing resources from the state to pay for water and sewer upgrades is critical to improving service delivery and reducing local taxpayer burdens,” Brewster said.  “These funds will help complete essential projects.”

Small Water and Sewer Program projects include:

Allegheny County –

  • Liberty Borough ($200,000) River Road Pump Station improvements
  • Turtle Creek Borough ($229,250) Combined sewer rehabilitation
  • West Mifflin ($116,268) Duquesne Avenue Culvert Replacement Project
  • Monroeville Municipal Authority ($422,675) Sanitary sewer rehabilitation Woodhaven Drive
  • North Versailles Township Sewer Authority ($146,942) Star Alley Lane Street sanitary sewer replacement
  • Braddock ($250,000) Sewer system deficiency repairs

Westmoreland County –

  • Arnold ($69,023) 14th Street outfall
  • Lower Burrell ($132,352) Craigdell Road stormwater repairs
  • Municipal Authority New Kensington ($148,360) Waterline replacement
  • Parks Township Municipal Authority – Allegheny Township ($90,950) Water line replacement

H2O Program grants include:

Allegheny County –

  • Duquesne ($500,000) Water system improvements
  • Clairton Municipal Authority ($200,000) Phase II, wastewater treatment project
  • Monroeville Municipal Authority ($300,000) Woodhaven Drive sanitary sewer Phase 2
  • North Versailles Township Sanitary Sewer Authority ($200,000) Crestas Pump Station improvements
  • Turtle Creek Maintenance Project ($100,000) Flood protection, sediment removal

Westmoreland –

  • Arnold ($600,000) Combined sewer separation

Brewster, who served as mayor and on council in McKeesport prior to being elected as senator, said that it was important for local municipalities to seek state funding and that he was pleased communities throughout his district received funding in this round of CFA grants.

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Brewster: More than $500,000 Approved for Local Recreation Projects

Brewster: More than $500,000 Approved for Local Recreation Projects

Harrisburg – Sept. 17, 2019 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) today said he is pleased that more than $500,000 in state grant funding was approved for an array of recreation projects in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

“Our ability to help local communities improve their recreation and public spaces is significantly bolstered by funding that is brought back from Harrisburg,” Brewster said. “These new dollars for the enhancement of recreation projects in both Allegheny and Westmoreland counties will improve the quality of life in our communities.”

Funding was approved for park and recreation projects in Port Vue, Baldwin, Plum, Elizabeth and North Versailles in Allegheny County. Vandergrift and Lower Burrell in Westmoreland County also received state funds for park and pool rehabilitation projects.

The grants were made available through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Act 13 program funds. The following program dollars were approved in this round of funding for projects in Brewster’s district in Allegheny County:

  • Port Vue Borough Port Vue Athletic Association Recreation Building              $53,763
  • Baldwin Borough Elm Leaf Park Improvements                                                    $50,000
  • Plum Borough Logan’s Ferry Park Improvements                                                 $150,000
  • Elizabeth Borough Streetscape, Riverfront Park Improvements                        $50,000
  • North Versailles Crestas ball field lighting                                                               $50,000

In the Westmoreland County portion of Brewster’s district, funding for the following projects were approved:

  • Lower Burrell Veterans Central Park Improvements                                             $50,000
  • Vandergrift Borough Pool Renovation                                                                      $165,313

Brewster said that while he is pleased that these grants were approved, he will continue to seek other resources for communities through other state programs.

Brewster: Pitcairn, White Oak to Receive State Grant Funds

Brewster: Pitcairn, White Oak to Receive State Grant Funds

Harrisburg – March 26, 2019 – State grant funding including $525,000 for road slide repairs in Pitcairn and $200,000 for a streetscape project in White Oak was approved today, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said.

“The ability to successfully access state resources to address key projects in the area is very important,” Brewster said.  “Many communities need the state dollars to undertake valuable projects and enhance the quality of life in their communities.

“Local municipalities try to stretch dollars to meet needs, yet critical projects cannot be considered unless the state steps up to help fill funding gaps.”

The money for Pitcairn and White Oak was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. 

The projects include:

  • Pitcairn Borough: Center Avenue slide remediation project involves cutting the hillside, removing material, stabilizing the hill and relocating portions of Center Avenue between Fifth and Highland Avenues ($525,000);
  • White Oak: Streetscape and pedestrian safety improvements along Lincoln Way including new light poles, electrical work and street signs ($200,000).

Brewster said that he would continue to be a strong advocate for funding and work to bring even more state funding to the district through other state programs.

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Brewster Welcomes New State Investments for Recreation Projects in Allegheny, Westmoreland

Harrisburg – October 24, 2016 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that he welcomes new state investment in communities throughout his district after today’s announcement that the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved grants for key recreation projects in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.

At a morning meeting in Harrisburg, the CFA approved four projects in Brewster’s district.  One project, K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, is in Westmoreland County, while the other three are in Allegheny – in Port Vue, East Pittsburgh and Turtle Creek.

“There is no question the funds earmarked for these four projects will fill a crucial need,” Brewster said.  “Municipalities already stretch local tax dollars but often they are not enough to meet the demand for capital improvements, especially in smaller cash-strapped communities.

“These funds, which add to a local community’s quality of life, will enable important recreational projects to be completed.”

Brewster said that the CFA approved the following:

  • $50,000 for the City of Lower Burrell in Westmoreland County to renovate former Wolf Pack Park which is now K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park.  The project includes the development of a memorial to Officer Kotecki that involves a sculpture, landscaping, steel and stone archway, park entrance and paved parking lot;
  • $50,000 in Greenways, Trails and Recreation funds to renovate the tot lot in Romine Park in Port Vue.  The park has outdated equipment and it is not accessible for children with disabilities.  The funding will be used to install a new swing set and play activity climber and to retrofit equipment to make it ADA accessible;
  • $35,000 for improvements to Quarry Field in East Pittsburgh Borough.  The new CFA dollars will be used to construct a walking trail and five exercise stations, in addition to a new park access point from the parking lot;
  • $50,000 has been granted to Turtle Creek Borough to rehabilitate the playground at Hamilton Park.  The equipment in the park will be updated and the pavilion roof replaced.

The CFA was established in 2004 to administer economic stimulus programs.  It is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

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