Tube City Almanac

August 10, 2011

Free Advice Regarding Two Prime Lots

(Commentary/Editorial)


Nobody asked me, but I would love, love, love to see some residential development on the St. Peter's and Holy Trinity sites. People would pay dearly --- and do --- for homes built along waterfronts. (Take a look at the apartments and townhouses built at The Waterfront in Munhall and Homestead if you don't believe me.)

The Monongahela River waterfront of McKeesport is largely taken over by industrial uses --- the sewage treatment plant, the RIDC Industrial Park, etc. --- but the Youghiogheny is becoming the "recreation" river, with the Palisades, the McKees Point Marina and the two hiking-biking trails.

I mentioned this on Facebook, but I thought it bears repeating here: I suspect that a residential development on the Holy Trinity and St. Peter's sites would go over well, especially for empty-nesters and former McKeesporters who want to move back to the area.

And before you tell me, "No one will buy houses in Downtown McKeesport," everyone thought that the houses on the old Menzie Dairy property wouldn't sell, either, but they did. The housing development on the Union Avenue reservoir site is also a success story.

People also scoffed at the idea of redeveloping Herr's Island in Pittsburgh (now known as Washington's Landing) and at the very idea of the Waterfront in Munhall and Homestead.

Seriously, housing along a river, next to a marina and a bike trail, sounds like an idea that's a complete no-brainer.

The public sector --- agencies like McKeesport Neighborhood Initiative and McKeesport Housing Corp. --- has demonstrated that new housing in McKeesport isn't an oxymoron. And while it would be wonderful if they tackled a project like this, it's about time for the private sector to step up and invest in the city, instead of just plowing up farmland all of the time for new subdivisions.

So, some of you local developers and real-estate agents who keep advertising "prime lots for sale" in Jefferson Hills and North Huntingdon: Why don't you take a chance on McKeesport instead?

. . .

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White Oak Florist State Rep. Marc Gergely

Feedback on “Free Advice Regarding Two Prime Lots”

Great article. Amen to your suggestion.

One other location to mention are the homes near Duck Hollow, overlooking the Parkway (can’t think of the name of the place, sorry). That was once scrub land and is now a really nice development. And it aint cheap there!

I have been suggesting for a while now — raze (most of) downtown and clear the way for housing and shopping like at the Waterfront.

McKeesport’s downtown is, sadly, no longer a mecca for anyone with any money to spend and is more an eyesore than anything.

Doing this, along with the new schools just might encourage people who have incomes to spend to take a shot at living in McKeesport down there.

Until the rest of Downtown is dealt with, having those two lots won’t be enough. But it would be a great start.

Said it before, will say it again – money wants to be with money. Public housing and section 8 is NOT the answer for our city. People with money to spend want safe places to live with good schools.

Capitalize on what we DO have….riverfront…before that fad is long gone.
Shadango - August 11, 2011



I like the concept of developing housing along the Yough —- there are so many questions to ask, but I for one would be interested what others have to say about this issue. A stigma has to be overcome but Washington’s Landing was the most oderous place on the North Side – now look at it!

Thanks for making us think — I suggest a name for the development — how about Holy Trinity Acres?
Donn Nemchick - August 11, 2011



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