The City of McKeesport is eager to apply a newly awarded Multimodal Transportation Fund grant toward a McKeesport Riverfront Trail and Parking Project, which is another promising step in reestablishing McKeesport as a regional destination for recreation and commerce.

In an October announcement, state Sen. James R. Brewster and Gov. Tom Wolf announced nearly $3 million in grant funding will help bolster downtown McKeesport, expand the Steel Valley Trail, and connect a new multimedia and technology center in the former Daily News building with improvements to the Lysle Boulevard parking garage. The grant is valued at $2,951,500 and comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Multimodal Transportation Fund; it is one of 43 awards given among nearly 175 submitted applications.

“With our continued effort to make McKeesport a destination along the Great Allegheny Passage and our more recent plans to repurpose The Daily News building, this award of multi-modal funding will allow us to accomplish our goals and invest in our downtown,” Mayor Michael Cherepko said. “What we envision as a beautiful, elevated trail through McKeesport’s RIDC Park will be a unique draw to the City of McKeesport. Also, a portion of these funds will allow us to repair the Lysle Boulevard parking garage to better serve McKeesport commuters, trail users, and incoming tenants and visitors of The Daily News building.”

Cherepko thanked Senator Brewster and Governor Wolf for “sharing the vision we have in the City of McKeesport, as we bring back The Daily News building as a focal point of our downtown and push to revitalize McKeesport as a destination within the Mon Valley.”

Brewster said the “massive” $2.9 million investment will yield tremendous benefits for years to come. He, Cherepko, and McKeesport Trail Commission volunteers envision the development of a secure, lighted elevated track that encompasses an area along the RIDC property that will generate foot and bike traffic.

“We aggressively sought state funding to help the city transform its downtown, tie-in new development with an expansion of the trail, enhance tourism and rehabilitate nearby parking to attract more visitors to the city,” Brewster said. “This is incredibly exciting news for the region. The expansion of the trail, coupled with the new energy and activity at the center -- including excellent access to nearby parking --creates even more commercial opportunities in the city.”

For more information regarding grant-funded projects in the City of McKeesport, contact Community Development Director A.J. Tedesco at 412-675-5020, ext. 617, or alfred.tedesco@mckeesport-pa.gov. General press inquiries can be made by contacting Mayor Michael Cherepko’s office at 412-675-5020, ext. 605.