A recently unveiled vision for Swissvale’s
Kopp Glass corridor will bring new affordable housing options and revitalization efforts to the borough's Palmer St., and Monongahela, Duquesne and Park Aves.
Spearheaded by the
Mon Valley Initiative (MVI) and Swissvale Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), the $3.5 million project will include a range of residential units, from two-bedroom condos to five-bedroom single-family homes.
Designed by
Lami Grubb Architects, the project's 12 new and rehabilitated houses will feature central air conditioning, energy efficient design and materials, garages or off-street parking pads, and front and back yards. The project will also involve converting the former Madonna Del Castello Church into loft-style condos, and
the renovation and expansion of a neighborhood park.
“The location is very exciting. It has everything–close to the local business district and a rapid mass transit stop to downtown and Oakland, and convenient to the Waterfront and the Parkway East," says Doug Van Haitsma, with MVI. "It’s all within an interesting neighborhood with great houses and a neighborhood park. It is a great opportunity to do a
LEED for Neighborhoods certified project.”
The project is located near a number of key revitalization efforts in the area, including the ALLegheny Together and Carrie Furnace projects. Homes will sell for between $75,000 and $95,000, and will be available to families earning up to 115% of the area’s median income. Construction is will begin during summer 2009. Allegheny County provided $1.3 million in construction loans to support the project, which will involve the acquisition of vacant and abandoned buildings.
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Jennifer BaronSource: Doug Van Haitsma, Director of Real Estate Development, Mon Valley Initiative
Image courtesy Mon Valley Initiative