The Mooncrest Homeownership Renovation Project has dedicated the first five townhomes in an ongoing community revitalization effort in Moon Township.
The $1.7 million project—which involved transforming eight rental units constructed during World War II to house Dravo shipyard workers into five affordable for-sale townhomes—was spearheaded by
Mooncrest Neighborhood Association. The association co-developed the project with
Moon Township. Project architect was Frank Colletti; contractor was
JAD Contracting. ACTION-Housing Inc. served as housing consultant.
Available to buyers with household incomes below eighty-percent of the area median income, the two- and three-bedroom townhomes are selling for between $62,500 and $92,500, with a deferred second mortgage. Preserving the community’s historic characteristics, the renovation provided energy-efficient amenities and updates.
“It’s great to see this project finally come to fruition. Hopefully, it will be a model for other areas. This low-income housing has a legacy and history we want to maintain for the future,” says State Senator John Pippy. “The keystone to the entire project was local community involvement—that provided the energy.”
In 2006, Pittsburgh's
Young Preservationists Association named Mooncrest to its Top Ten list. One of the region's first racially integrated communities, the 1943 Federal Housing Administration community has received a historical marker.
“I see the rest of the neighborhood being redeveloped like this. It encourages investment in the community,” adds State Representative Mark Mustio. “Affordable home ownership is a way to jumpstart the community.”
The project received $484,000 from
Allegheny County and $555,600 from the
Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. Additional funding included a $400,000 Local Initiatives Support Corporation Redevelopment Loan, a $345,500 Dollar Bank loan, and a $25,000 grant from Felician Sisters of Pennsylvania.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: State Senator John Pippy; State Representative Mark Mustio; Kevin Evanto, Allegheny County
Image courtesy Allegheny County