HARRISBURG, January 18, 2008 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny), yesterday, joined Department of Community & Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky in an announcement of a $200,000 state grant to allow the City to complete a comprehensive, coordinate plan for growth of its neighborhoods. The support of the Strategic Community Planning in Pittsburgh Project will allow the City to utilize more resources to move forward on a 90- neighborhood effort.

“I am proud that the state and city are working together to reinvest and reinvent our neighborhoods,” Fontana said. “This planning project will allow the City to promote and enhance our neighborhoods by enticing private investment to bring development back into many of our neighborhoods. It is our opportunity to showcase the Pittsburgh that we know – a true city of neighborhoods.”

Senator Fontana has been instrumental in establishing a pilot for the project by working with community partners to begin the development of a sector plan for an area that includes 12 neighborhoods in the western section of Pittsburgh. Recent funding efforts by the Senator have allowed community groups and residents to take an active part in identifying the unique
characteristics of their neighborhoods and voicing their dreams for future development in their communities.