Salisbury: Nearly $1 million awarded to fund multiple District 34 projects

Will support parks, library and community center improvements, bikeshare station

Rep. Abigail Salisbury    January 16, 2024 | 12:55 PM

BRADDOCK, Jan. 16 – New grants totaling $960,102 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority will support multiple community projects in the 34th Legislative District, state Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Allegheny, announced today.

Salisbury said the funding includes $585,102 under the Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for improvements to area parks and another $375,000 awarded under the Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund for improvements to multiple local community centers.

“Parks and green spaces are so important to our district, but it takes planning and resources to ensure the access, parking and safe play equipment residents need,” Salisbury said. “The funding from CFA is going to help fund those kinds of improvements in parks throughout our district.”

Salisbury said the GTRP funding and projects include:

  • $210,000 to the borough of Forest Hills for the Forest Hills Parks Rehabilitation Project.
  • $122,803 to Wilkinsburg Borough for the Rosa Parks Park Improvements Project.
  • $104,465 to Wilkins Township for Phase 3 of the Eastmont Park Rehabilitation.
  • $97,834 to Braddock Hills for the Braddock Hills Borough Community Playground Facility.
  • $50,000 to North Braddock Borough for Phase 2 of the North Braddock Legends Playground Improvements Project.

“It’s a great honor to be delivering crucial state funding to the green spaces that allow the people of Pittsburgh to appreciate our natural environment,” said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny. “Our parks and playgrounds support our children, families, and communities, and I am delighted to be supporting them in their efforts to bring people and nature together. I look forward to seeing these dollars get put to work in our neighborhood parks and trails.”

Salisbury said that additional grants awarded under the GEDTF will fund new bikeshare stations in Wilkinsburg and help ensure that many widely used community centers throughout the district receive needed renovations and upgrades. Those projects include:

  • $75,000 to Bike Share Pittsburgh, Inc. for the purchase and installation of three Wilkinsburg bikeshare stations, including three kiosks, 57 docking points and 30 e-bikes.
  • $50,000 to the C.C. Mellor Memorial Library and Edgewood Community House for a roof replacement and roof repairs.
  • $50,000 to Civically, Inc., to help fund the Hunter Building Renovation Project in Wilkinsburg.
  • $50,000 to the Center for Civic Arts in Wilkinsburg for roof replacement over the education wing.
  • $50,000 to the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments for Quarry Field improvements including safe access to the fields, ADA accessible restrooms, and other work.
  • $35,000 to the Braddock Carnegie Library Association to help fund music hall renovations to allow for event spaces and rentals.
  • $35,000 to Gwen’s Girls for interior renovations and repairs.
  • $30,000 to the Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery to fund 21 patient rooms.

“Community ties in our district are strong, so having safe, inviting places where residents gather to learn, to study, to heal or just to support one another is crucial,” Salisbury said.

The Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program – one of several Marcellus Legacy Fund programs administered by CFA under Act 13 of 2012 – provides grants for greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects. A 15% match of the total project cost is required. Projects are funded through Marcellus Shale impact fees collected by the CFA. More about the program is available here:

https://dced.pa.gov/programs/greenways-trails-and-recreation-program-gtrp/

The Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund is administered by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County and funded through state gaming revenues that are deposited with the CFA for economic and community development projects. More information is available here: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Projects-and-Initiatives/Economic-Development/Authorities/Redevelopment-Authority-RAAC/Gaming-Economic-Development-Tourism-Fund-GEDTF.