swissvale – a community revitalization case study
TRANSCRIPT
Swissvale – A Community Revitalization Case Study
A Three-Way Partnership
• Local Government Involvement: Swissvale Borough
• Local citizenship Involvement: SEDCO and MVI
• County Government Involvement: Allegheny County Economic Development
Swissvale PA
• East Suburbs• 9,600 residents• Median HH income of $33,500• Full time Fire Dept & Police
Dept • Agreed to focus on Code
Compliance• Committed Demolition Funds
to Project• Waived Fees and Permit
costs
SEDCO and MVI• Swissvale Economic Development Corp
(SEDCO)– Approximately 15 volunteer members– Incorporated since 1989– Focused on Community Development, support of
local charities
• Mon Valley Initiative– Coalition of eleven Community Development
Corporations – Provides professional capacity to local CDCs
• Real Estate Development• Workforce Development• Housing Counseling• Community Organizing
Allegheny County
• Plays two important roles– Funder – Department of Economic
Development• Receives Federal CDBG and HOME Funds• Expertise in administering Federal Funds
– Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County• Vacant Property Program allows the County to
acquire abandoned, vacant property• Can acquire blighted, delinquent property for reuse
Project Background
• 2006 – SEDCO requested MVI assistance• Concerned with increasing instability in
their neighborhoods• SEDCO organized key stakeholders
– Borough officials– Senator Jay Costa– Representative Paul Costa – Congressman Mike Doyle
MVI Feasibility Analysis
• Met with borough officials, fire department, police department, code enforcement
• Reviewed several high risk neighborhoods for redevelopment potential
• Worked with SEDCO to create Comprehensive Development Strategy
• Highest Priority – Kopp Glass Neighborhood
Why the Kopp Glass Neighborhood?
• Strategic Location – corridor to the Mon Valley
• Tipping Point Neighborhood
• Overall Good Quality Housing Stock
• Great Amenities – East Busway Stop– Park– Two Blocks from Business District
Strategic Location
Monongahlela Avenue is a Gateway into the Mon Valley
East Busway has a Station Adjacent to the Development Area
HOUSING STOCK
ASSETS - East Busway – Swissvale Station
ASSETS - AMERICAN LEGION PARK
ASSETS - Nearby Business District
Two blocks from the Business District
Active in the “ALLegheny Together” Main Street Program
Revitalization Goals
• Remove Blight
• Maintain Architectural Integrity
• Introduce New Development
• Revitalize and Expand the Neighborhood Park
• Strengthen the Existing Homeowners
• Environmentally Sustainable Development
Action Plan• Increased Code Enforcement - BOROUGH
• Developed a Property Inventory – SEDCO/MVI
• Created a Redevelopment Plan - SEDCO/MVI
• Began Fundraising – SEDCO/MVI; ACED
– ACED Commitment to Predevelopment Funding– PA Housing Finance Agency– Federal Home Loan Bank– State DCED Funds– Federal Funds for Special Projects
Results
• 12 Properties being Demolished• Strict Code Enforcement Encouraged Owners to Clean
up Their Properties or Sell• 4-8 Properties Acquired out of Foreclosure• 3-5 Arms-Length Sales• 25 Properties Acquired Through Vacant Property
Program• Funding Committed for First Phase - 15 rehabs, 1 new
construction – approximately $3.5 million first phase• Will be a LEED for Neighborhoods Qualified Project
ORIGINAL MARIA DEL CASTELLO CHURCH – EXISTING CONDITIONS
ORIGINAL MARIA DEL CASTELLO CHURCHFOUR CONDOMINIUMS
AMERICAN LEGION PARK – EXISTING CONDITIONS
AMERICAN LEGION PARK – AFTER RENOVATIONS
ConclusionThere are Benefits to Collaboration• Organized Communities can Accomplish
Great Things• Boroughs Can Add Value Through
– Political Support– Public Works – securing buildings, Maintaining
Properties– Strong Code Enforcement– Flexibility with Fees and Demolition Budgets
• Counties have Great Resources