Pittsburgh, Pa. − October 22, 2024 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams announced today that municipalities and organizations throughout Senate District 38 will receive $5,727,018 in Local Share Account (LSA) grant funding. This funding comes from gaming revenues and is intended support projects of public interest within the Commonwealth.
“The projects receiving Local Share funding from state gaming revenues today are identified as priority projects by their local community leaders,” said Senator Williams. “Many of these projects will help ensure that residents have continued access to clean, safe water, which is guaranteed by the Pennsylvania constitution. Other projects will improve public safety by funding our first responders and making repairs to the infrastructure that we use every day. I’m proud to have worked with municipal leaders and legislative partners to help secure funding for these critical community projects that will improve the lives of residents across Senate District 38.”
Projects receiving LSA funding are:
- Aspinwall Borough will receive $250,000 towards their water system lead service line investigation project. This project includes sub-surface exploration and investigation to determine the location of all private lead service lines in the water distribution system.
- Blawnox Borough will receive $47,722 to repair the steps that make up a portion of the sidewalk along McKinley Avenue. This repair includes replacing aluminum railings, removing the failing wall patches, and refacing the retaining wall.
- Cheswick Borough will receive $300,000 for the multiphase North Highland Avenue Waterline Replacement project. This project replaces an aging 6” cast iron water line with a modern 6” PVC line, along with installation of 15 new gate valves, 2 new fire hydrants, and 40 service connections.
- The Deer Creek Drainage Basin Authority will receive $118,888 to repair 23 manholes in West Deer Township and Indiana Township. These manholes, which are causing infiltration issues due to their poor condition, will be repaired using trenchless technology and the use of a spray epoxy.
- Frazer Township will receive $61,043 for the purchase and equipping of a police vehicle. This new vehicle will replace an outdated vehicle that has reached the end of its service life.
- Harrison Township will receive $317,654 to complete the rehabilitation and restoration of the storm sewers along Garfield Street and Chestnut Street. This includes removing debris and sediment that have drained into the storm sewers for years, resulting in reduced flow capacities and compromising the systems.
- Harrison Township will receive $154,939 to purchase upgraded equipment for its police department. This includes radios, computer equipment, cameras, and door access control and monitoring equipment.
- McCandless Township will receive $166,000 to repair bridges along Blazier Drive No. 2, Blazier Drive No. 3, Meinert Road, and Old Perry Highway Over Railroad. These repairs will include crack sealing, guiderail repairs, vegetation and sediment removal, and delamination repairs.
- McCandless Township will receive $60,485 to purchase new police vehicles.
- McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority will receive $200,000 to purchase a new ambulance. MFPAA covers a population of over 71,000 people; this new ambulance will replace one of several outdated ambulances in the fleet.
- The Bloomfield Garfield Corporation will receive $250,000 for the Rotunda on North Negley. These funds will be used for roof repairs on this vacant former synagogue turned multi-use space. Once roof repairs are completed, full inside renovations can proceed.
- O’Hara Township will receive $500,000 for the Mary Street retaining wall project, located behind the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department. This project includes demolishing the current wall and constructing 250 linear feet of new retaining wall.
- The North Hills Council of Governments will receive $401,736 to purchase a Special Response Team (SRT) rescue vehicle. The North Hills COG SRT includes 65 specially trained officers and negotiators from member municipalities that respond to high hazard and mass casualty incidents in 21 communities across northern Allegheny County.
- Ross Township will receive $250,000 for the Nelson Run Bridge #2 Replacement Project. This includes replacing the existing bridge, installing a custom upstream and downstream end wall, asphalt replacement, guiderail replacement, utility coordination and re-routing a gas line and sanitary sewer, and erosion and sediment control.
- The Allegheny Land Trust will receive $130,000 for the purchase of 29 acres of woodland in Ross Township for permanent conservation. This wooded public green space will absorb 24 million gallons of rainwater annually and prevent or reduce the likelihood of dangerous and damaging landslides in a high-risk area.
- Shaler Township will receive $535,200 for the Fall Run Park Improvements Project. This project will purchase and install a prefabricated restroom facility with adjacent parking, accessible sidewalk/paving, and a 30’x40’ gazebo, along with required infrastructure connections.
- Springdale Borough will receive $982,355 for their Waterline Replacement Project along Orchard, Logan, Moyhend, and Walnut Streets. These key waterlines are in particularly poor condition. Their replacement will ensure dependable delivery of potable drinking water to residents.
- Springdale Borough will receive $74,868 for the purchase and equipping of a new police vehicle. This new police cruiser will allow the department to uphold their duty to protect the community.
- Tarentum Borough will receive $300,000 to upgrade their water treatment plant. This includes the installation of two high service pumps, two back wash pumps, a 12” finished water meter, feeders, and a security fence, as well as three raw water pumps and a 16” raw water meter.
- FamilyLinks Vintage Center for Active Adults will receive $325,000 for their senior center renovation. This project will consist of new flooring, lighting, security, phone systems, interior infrastructure improvements, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection.
- The Urban Redevelopment Authority will receive $246,128 for renovations to the Lottery Store at 501 Larimer Street. This project will include select demolition and renovations, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler, alarm system, framing, basement waterproofing, new carpentry finishes, asbestos abatement, and exterior sidewalk and parking upgrades.
- The West View HUB will receive $55,000 to purchase a new van for their food pantry. At its inception in 2019, the food pantry served 15-25 families on a consistent basis. Today, the pantry has over 800 families on its rosters, with new families joining every week. This van will allow the HUB to serve families more readily.
In addition to the LSA funding, Senator Williams also announced $8,998,375 in Public School Facility Improvement Grants today. This fund provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. Full information for this grant program can be found here.
“As the Minority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I understand how important this funding is to the schools in my District and all across Pennsylvania,” said Senator Williams. “The condition of our school facilities is a big part of why the Courts found that the way Pennsylvania funds its public school system is unconstitutional. Today’s grants will allow individual buildings make repairs, but all districts deserve funding that allows them to plan for these types of projects. I’ll continue to fight for predictable, stable funding so that all students can learn in school buildings that foster imagination, innovation, and a sense of belonging.”
Schools receiving PSFIC funding are:
- Fox Chapel School District will receive $500,000 for upgrades at Fairview Elementary in Indiana Township. These upgrades will include new HVAC equipment and plumbing systems, new windows, enhanced LED lighting, and new hallway flooring. These and other aging components will be replaced to ensure the healthy, safety, and security of students and educators.
- Hampton Township School District will receive $700,000 to replace the Hampton Middle School Roof. This includes the removal of existing roof and insultation, necessary repairs, and installation of a new base and top coat.
- North Hills School District will receive $1.5 million for upgrades to the High School. This includes replacement of rooftop HVAC and dehumidification units, as well as upgrades to fire and life safety systems, smoke detectors, and other alarm systems.
- Shaler Area School District will receive $1,298,375 for a roof replacement and HVAC at the Middle School. This project will replace the entire roof and HVAC system, including the installation of air conditioning.
- Pittsburgh Public Schools will receive $5 million for projects at 11 schools throughout the District, including Westinghouse Academy. This will include replacing HVAC equipment in the building, helping to control indoor pollutants and control exhaust airflow.
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