By Francine Garrone,
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Vandergrift’s historic business district will be receiving a much needed face-lift.
A group of officials announced Monday how a $300,000 loan fund has been used to take the small town back in time.
Attending the presentation were members of the Vandergrift Improvement Program (VIP), Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Center for Sustainability Innovation, Westmoreland Conservation District, and state Sen. James Ferlo, D-Highland Park.
“This has been a long and tireless effort,” said David Truffa, VIP vice president. “It once seemed like a pipe dream. (But) the number of partners that have come to the table has been amazing.”
Three Grant Avenue properties in the community’s business district are being restored with the help of the revolving $300,000 loan fund grant provided last year by the Allegheny Foundation, chaired by philanthropist Dick Scaife, owner of the Valley News Dispatch and a host of other Trib Total Media products.
VIP Main Street manager Shaun Yurcaba led a group of nearly 50 people through the streets of downtown Vandergrift highlighting the progress made to each building.
The building that houses Puglese Flowers has had its roof replaced, and the electrical system has been updated.
“The second floor is dilapidated and the wiring was in shambles,” she said. “We plan to restore the transom window behind the business sign, rehabilitate five apartments on the second floor and restore the brick.”
A nearly complete overhaul is being done to 143 Grant Ave. — the first building VIP purchased.
Yurcaba said the building has received a new roof, the facade has been repointed and cleaned, and the windows have been replaced.
“On the second floor, there are two two-bedroom apartments and on the third floor there is a turn-of-the-century one-bedroom apartment,” she said.
When work is complete, the building will house a yoga studio and organic bakery. The owner plans to live in one of the second-floor apartments.
The former J.C. Penney building at 134 Grant Ave. is a work in progress.
Yurcaba said VIP is looking to obtain a state grant to turn the Anchor Building into a community arts center.
“We have cleaned out the debris and made small repairs to the roof,” she said. “We are currently looking to secure funds to rehabilitate the building.”
A sustainable storm water system will be constructed at the business district’s turnabout.
Kathy Hamilton, landscape architect/storm water technician for the Westmoreland Conservative District, said when it storms, rain water travels down Columbia Avenue and onto Grant Avenue at the turnabout.
The Westmoreland Conservation District looks to maintain the sweeping curves and landscape of the turnabout by using ponding areas on all four sides of the intersection.
Brick pavers will allow rain water to soak into the ground and nourish planting beds that will jut from the sidewalks surrounding the intersection.
The project will cost about $200,000, said Jim Pillsbury, hydraulic engineer for Westmoreland Conservation District.
“In general, we have a start, but we need a finish,” he said.
On Farragut Avenue, a vacant borough-owned lot across from the post office will be turned into the Wayne A. Teeple Memorial Park. Teeple was the founding member of the VIP.
Truffa said VIP is working to have a small amphitheater built in the park.
Truffa said the park can also be used to expand the summertime farmer’s market.
“It’s a nice location to have a speaker or musical group,” he said. “Groups can also have meetings here.”
“Within the last 20 years, things have certainly deteriorated around here,” said Mayor Lou Purificato. “But with the help of Senator Ferlo, we are going to be able to get things back to how they were.”
Ferlo said residents and business owners need to come together and take back the streets, and continue to build the bridges of participation.
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation president Arthur Ziegler said the historic district has held together after so many years. It “just needs updated.”
“Mister Scaife has given us the means to move forward,” he said.
