HARRISBURG, October 24, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a total of $1.4 million in state grant and loan funds for three Allegheny County projects.
“This state support will help supplement local efforts to improve, redevelop and move the ball forward on three important local projects,” Fontana said. “I will continue to seek state dollars to help fund and speed up work on key local development projects.”
The funds, approved today by the board of the state’s Commonwealth Financing Agency program, would provide:
- A $200,000 grant for Stowe Township to build a 900-foot storm sewer near the intersection of Tunnel Way and Island Avenue. Fontana said the project should help solve a run-off issue that has caused problems for Tunnel Way, as well as a nearby stream. The project will utilize storm pipes to capture and transfer flows from the collection point at the intersection of Dunn and Wilson Streets to the storm system downstream on Tunnel Way. In addition, a manhole will be installed and a sewer line inlet will be replaced. Fontana said the Improvements will reduce impediments to pedestrian and vehicular traffic along the sidewalk and eliminate debris and sediment from washing out onto the roadway and into the stream that is a tributary to the Ohio River. The total project is $361 ,604. The restoration will include about 2.5 miles of stream.
- A $200,000 state grant to help reconstruct an historic fountain that dates back to 1868, along with 7.5 acres of historic landscape promenade in Allegheny Commons, Pittsburgh’s oldest park. Fontana said that corner of the Commons currently only contains a planter and looks blighted and deserted. He said the grant monies will be used for site preparation. The total project cost is $1.6 million.
- A $1 million state “Business in our Sites” low-interest (3 percent) loan to help redevelop the Henry Miller Springs building in Sharpsburg Borough. The building, which was constructed approximately 80 years ago sits on a six-acre industrial brownfield site. Along with improving the building, Fontana said the money will be used to widen the access road and turning lanes to the property. He said the property is being marketed for light manufacturing and warehouse distribution. The total project cost is $1.45 million.
The CFA grant program is funded with revenue from the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund. In addition to statewide property tax relief, a portion of gaming dollars is used to fund public works and economic development projects.
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