Charleroi community project receives LSA recommendation
CHARLEROI – Mon Valley Alliance has announced that the Washington County Local Share Account panel has recommended an award of $252,000 to support the Charleroi Renaissance Phase 1 project, which would demolish the former Charleroi Football Stadium and prepare the site for a riverfront park.
According to a news release from MVA, the project is the result of broad community support and is the signature initiative of five municipalities that joined together to develop a Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan, a project also made possible by a previous LSA grant.
As part of this planning, Charleroi, Fallowfield Township, North Charleroi, Speers and Twilight Borough chose to support this singular initiative for this year’s LSA Application. Christopher Whitlatch, CEO of MVA said those communities involved in the collaboration believe that taking underutilized and public safety hazards and transforming them into the attraction of a riverfront park will benefit the residents of all five municipalities and create a draw for visitors to the area.
“Today’s announcement is a big win for the municipalities and reward for the cooperation and vision that they have shown as part of the planning process,” Whitlatch said. “We are honored that they have entrusted the project to MVA as the conduit and we will continue to work in partnership with the school district and the municipalities to realize this vision.”
The idea behind the Charleroi Renaissance Phase 1 project is to open up the riverfront as a public amenity and reconnect it to the downtown shopping district to support business growth.
The property has been underutilized for many years and sits adjacent to the Charleroi Boat Launch. “By opening up the riverfront to more recreational opportunities, we can bring more residents and visitors to the area, increasing the use of the launch as well,” said Whitlatch.
In addition to the riverfront access, the project’s plan is to create an attraction area for multiuse events, a recreation area for children and adults as well as seasonal/commercial area to encourage year-round attractions as well as the environment to incubate small businesses in the area.
Whitlatch said the Local Share Account award will provide for demolition of the former Stadium and preparation of the site. Charleroi Borough is working with a grant provided by the Washington County Redevelopment Authority to demolish the former Atlas Building, which has become a public safety hazard, adjacent to the site. “With the combination of the two properties, we can create a new gateway to the ‘Magic City,'” he said.