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