Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report

What are the changes that would make the most difference for you in McKeesport?

The city and its partners want to know. A community survey has been published asking you to choose and share your priorities. Results will be used, in part, by the community leaders for reference in completing a citywide comprehensive plan.

The survey is available online. Copies are also available at the Public Safety Building (old Municipal Building) at 201 Lysle Blvd., or at the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, 1507 Library Ave.

A comprehensive plan is both a vision for the future and a blueprint for change. Once adopted it will become a fundamental part of the city's policy -- serving as both an inspiration for a broad (comprehensive) range of city actions and a standard by which they can be measured. A comprehensive plan guides decision making about growth and development, recreation and park land, commercial and industrial facilities, historic and cultural resources, transportation, utilities, housing and economic development.

A good plan has the support of the city's residents and businesses. Community participation in the planning process is essential. Fundamentally, a comprehensive plan is what we (the city and all of its moving parts) make of it, over time. It is a living, breathing, evolving document -- a written agreement the city makes with itself.

Participation in the community survey is the first step in public participation. Following the release of the survey, public meetings will be held to share background information, vision, goals and recommendations. However, before that works starts, we need to understand your priorities and concerns.

The comprehensive plan is funded through a grant from Allegheny County and is being completed with assistance from a team of consultants let by Environmental Planning and Design in Pittsburgh.

For more information, contact A.J. Tedesco, McKeesport director of community development, at alfred.tedesco@mckeesport-pa.gov or (412) 675-5020, extension 617, or Jennifer Cristobal, project director, Environmental Planning and Design, at jcristobal@epd-pgh.com or (412) 261-6000.