TARENTUM BOROUGH
Comprehensive Plan 2009-2019 Prepared By: Third Sector Development, LLC Monroeville, PA
Acknowledgements
The preparation of this document has been financed with assistance from a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program (LUPTAP) Grant.
The Borough of Tarentum and Third Sector Development would like to thank the following individuals, organizations and public officials for their participation in the draft and review of the Comprehensive Plan:
William Rossey, Manager Borough of Tarentum State Representative Frank Dermody
Carl Magnetta, President of Council, State Senator Sean Logan Borough of Tarentum U.S. Representative Jason Altmire Tim Rapp, Vice President of Council, Borough of Tarentum U.S. Representative John Murtha
Eric Carter, Councilman, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Borough of Tarentum Onorato
Hugh Fox, Councilman, Lance Chimka, Allegheny Together, Borough of Tarentum Allegheny County Economic Development
Mike Gutonski, Councilman Jessica Mooney, Allegheny Together, Borough of Tarentum Allegheny County Economic Development
John Motosicky, Councilman Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Borough of Tarentum Foundation
Joe Davidek, Planning Commissioner Urban Design Associates Borough of Tarentum Mark Peluso, Town Center Associates William Vakulik, Police Chief, Borough of Tarentum Mara Peluso, Town Center Associates
David Strellec, Solicitor, Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society Borough of Tarentum Professor Chris Magoc, Chair Denny Puko, PA DCED Department of History, Mercyhurst College
Joy Wilhelm, AICP, PA DCED
James Wolfe, Mayor Borough of Tarentum
The following citizens, business owners and concerned stakeholders provided invaluable input that directly impacted the formulation of this plan, and we graciously thank them for their time and dedication:
Mark Anuszek Matt Fryer Patty Kristofik Jill Prill Von Argyle Harvard Furman Greg Kristofik Chuck Reitler Donna Baker Paulette Furman Greg Krowitz Sherry Reitler Ken Baker George Gatto Janice Kuhns Dianna Roney Kevin Bertaki Mark Gatto Tim Kuhns Robert Rose Chuck Blackburn Richard Geahry Phil LaRusse Jane Rossey Georgie Blackburn James Grabigel Barbara Magnetta Cindi Rusak Greg Blythe Jim Heffran Colleen Matsik Cindy Sander Joseph Bodnar Nancy Heffran Rebecca Matt Debbie Shiring MaryJo Boyer Bill Herman Alberta Miller Brian Snyder Bill Burns LouAnn Homa Beverly Miller Andrew Stevens Marlene Campbell Lawrea Honnef Ken Misejka Kathy Stevens Tracy Christopher Jim Huet Michelle Misejka Shawn Stoebener Greg Cosnotti Andrew Jonczak Jim Newcomer Wendy Thimons Rose Cosnotti John Killian Paula Norwich Jim Thomas Ann Culleiton Mary Jo Killian Jeff Parker Mary Anne Trettel Charles Culleiton John Klucinek Joe Pavcik Sheena Van Dyke Rick Deemer Cynthia Kramer Nick Petrishen Pat Walters R. Gary Duster Florence Kramer Olivia Phillips William Wakulick Carrie Fox Fr. Aaron Kriss Mike Polly Judith Wisner
Table of Contents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………….5-6
2. OVERVIEW……………………………………………………………………….7-8
3. HISTORY……………………………………………………………………………9-26
4. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT…………………………………………………..27-38
5. MISSION AND VISION…………………………………………………….39-42
6. RECREATION……………………………………………………………………43-46
7. RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT………………………………………….47-50
8. HOUSING…………………………………………………………………….....51-76
9. THE ECONOMY OF TARENTUM……………………………………….77-86
10. KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE……………………………………..87-90
11. THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT………………………………………91-100
12. COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT…………………………………..101-102
13. LAND USE……………………………………………………………………….103-108
14. INFRASTRUCTURE………………………………………………………….109-116
15. COMPATIBILITY………………………………………………………………117-118
16. APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………119
APPENDIX
1. Public Involvement Survey given to attendees at the May 5, 3006 Revitalization Kick-Off Meeting Survey results from the Revitalization Kick-off Meeting Tarentum Revitalization Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2007 Presentation from the October 11, 2007 First Public Involvement Meeting Input “Wishlist” from October 11, 2007 meeting (f)= future, (n)= being done now Tarentum Revitalization newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2, February 2008 Presentation from the March 5, 2008 Second Public Involvement Meeting Public Involvement Findings from March 5, 2008 meeting Presentation from the July 12, 2008 Third Public Involvement Meeting Business SWOT Analysis resulting from July 12, 2008 meeting Housing SWOT Analysis resulting from July 12, 2008 meeting
2. News Coverage Index “Officials are asking Allegheny County to declare West Tarentum a blighted area,” by Charlie Ban Valley News Dispatch January 9, 2007 “Tarentum revitalization begins,” by Charlie Ban Valley News Dispatch October 11, 2007 “Off to a good start,” Editorial Valley News Dispatch October 15, 2007 “Tarentum revitalization plans unveiled,” by Tom Yerace Valley News Dispatch March 6, 2008
3. Maps Index West 7th Avenue Site Plan Tarentum Redevelopment
4. Schematic and Demographics Tarentum Government Schematic SPC Demographic Information
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2009-2019
The Keystone Principles & Criteria for Growth, WHY DO WE PLAN? WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT Investment & Resource Conservation SERVE IN A BUILT-OUT COMMUNITY? (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Economic Development Cabinet) A Comprehensive Plan is an attempt to establish guidelines for the future growth of a Back to Prosperity: A Policy Agenda for community. The elements of a comprehensive Pennsylvania (The Brookings Institution) plan can vary from one jurisdiction to another. In most cases though, the plan consists of a Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan study of existing conditions and a discussion of future trends, goals, and objectives. Land-use Allegheny County Development Policy – Route patterns, housing conditions, population, 28 Corridor infrastructure, and the economy are usually the primary areas studied. However, the content of Allegheny Places Principles plans has evolved as the needs of society and technology have changed. Today, plans may Eastern Corridor Visioning Study (Port take into consideration sustainability issues as Authority of Allegheny County) well as public health concerns. Beyond these elements, a Comprehensive Plan While the questions of what a plan is and what should also be consistent with the applicable it should contain may meet with general county plan and those of any contiguous agreement, the question of what makes a municipalities; although the local plan “good plan” may generate more debate. One supersedes the County plan according to the answer to this is “one that has significant Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. community support and that can be implemented.” It would seem that these two If we have a good plan, the challenge then is to elements are not easily separated. A plan that get from point A to point B in the most timely has significant community support is usually and efficient manner. one that can be easily implemented, as one of the major hurdles to implementation is public With population trends in most Southwestern approval. At the same time, is a plan that does Pennsylvania municipalities experiencing not have significant community support worth continuing decline, planning means more than implementing even if it receives the necessary making linear projections to meet demand. approvals? Managing decline is, at best, a concept not well defined and at worst, not a desirable course of A different perspective is that a Comprehensive action to predict. In the current economic Plan is really nothing less than a business plan climate, economic development means for a political jurisdiction. The stockholders, or responding to reduced consumption trends. An voters, may vote out the Board of Directors, or important consideration under these conditions governing body, if their investment, (taxes), must be to increase efficiency of existing provides them with a negative return on systems. property values or quality of life. While a Comprehensive Plan should be long There are also a number of policy frameworks range, it should also have short and medium that need to be considered. In the case of timeframe components to allow early successes Tarentum Borough these include: and build momentum for the long haul.
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2009-2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
After holding a number of public meetings and talking to local officials and municipal staff, this Comprehensive Plan makes a number of key recommendations:
Implement a multi-component Housing Strategy combining the conversion of unmarketable structures into appropriate scale residential units, renovation of vacant upstairs areas in Utilize the area designated as a the commercial district, development Keystone Opportunity Zone as an of new housing in the Borough’s Third energy facility with the Borough’s Ward, and designation of an Elm Street natural gas resources being converted District as Tarentum’s commercial to electrical energy through the use of district revitalization program fuel cells to supply Tarentum’s Redcat matures. Power Company through an upgraded smart grid system
Designate the Borough’s Third Ward as a Redevelopment Area that will intermix renovated and new construction mixed-use structures Although Tarentum Borough may be along West Seventh Avenue with new representative of Western housing and Tarentum’s new LEED Pennsylvania’s older declining urban certified green roof municipal center. municipalities, it also possesses a number of resources that can be instrumental in making it a prototype Create a special Riverfront Assessment st District that will allow the Borough to for 21 century communities. This capture a portion of sales from Comprehensive Plan will serve as a recreation related businesses to help basic blueprint to guide Tarentum in support maintenance of the riverfront that effort. and the Community Trail Initiative.
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OVERVIEW 2009-2019
Tarentum Borough is located in the Constant construction, lane constriction and northeastern corner of Allegheny County along traffic congestion render Route 28 an the Allegheny River, close to the borders of undesirable connector roadway to the city of Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland counties. Pittsburgh; in effect mitigating Tarentum’s Allegheny’s county seat of Pittsburgh is 22 miles attractiveness to potential homebuyers who southwest of the Borough. Named for an would choose a more navigable roadway with ancient Greco-Roman seaport, Tarentum was less travel time factored in to the relatively incorporated in 1842. short distance from the city of Pittsburgh. Though Tarentum is located only 22 miles from The town peaked in population approximately the heart of the city, the morning commute 100 years after its founding, with residents time to the city from the Borough may run numbering over 9,800 in 1940. The population upwards of one hour. of Tarentum is estimated to have shrunk by more than half that number as of 2005, to 4,600. The 2005 number is down 6.3% from the 2000 census, where the population was recorded at 4,993 – nearly the same as recorded in 1886, seven years after the first industry (C.L. Flaccus glass) located to the Borough.
The NAICS reports that Tarentum’s zip code contains 313 establishments, 4,821 employees, and an annual payroll of $109,484,000. There are no major suburban business centers surrounding the community; as Cranberry Tarentum last updated its comprehensive plan Township has become to the north, Robinson in May of 1964. The plan, drafted by Beckman, and Green Tree to the West, and the Swenson and Associates stated that, “The Canonsburg area to the south. East of Allegheny Valley, the region in which Tarentum Tarentum, Monroeville is the closest major is located, has not grown over the past few suburban business district. Boasting a 15 decades for a few reasons…..the lack of minute commute time to downtown Pittsburgh adequate transportation, the lack of new when there is no traffic; many other industrial growth, and extensive dilapidation.” communities closer to the Monroeville area, including Monroeville itself, remain attractive to Since that comprehensive plan update 44 years the potential buyer. ago, all of the same conditions which caused hardship for the community are still factors in Smaller office districts and shopping districts the area’s stagnation. Transportation has been are within close proximity to the Borough. RIDC at the crux of the town’s prosperity and its Park in O’Hara Township is an approximately 10 decline. First the canal and Pennsylvania minute commute. The complex had seen a Railroad provided the access by which the town small increase in growth over the last few years, prospered. Later, Tarentum derived benefit following a several year slump. The Pittsburgh from the construction of the Allegheny Valley Mills Mall is also within close proximity to Expressway in 1927, (also known as PA Route Tarentum. The development is vaguely 28, which begins in Pittsburgh and extends reminiscent of the Mall at Robinson/Pointe at through Kittanning), and later, the construction North Fayette in Robinson and North Fayette of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 7
2009-2019 OVERVIEW
Townships. A central indoor mall anchors the The current housing situation remains the single complex, and several outlying parcels contain most threat to the revitalization of the additional restaurants, banks and “big box” Borough, but can be remedied by marketing the stores. Tarentum’s police officers are homes to conscientious buyers. The continuous contracted by Frazer Township to assist in subdivision of once grand single family homes patrolling the shopping site. into multiple unit apartments has reduced resident investment in the community by both devaluing the property and maintaining resident anonymity in the midst of a constantly changing neighborhood dynamic in the transient renter environment. It is in the best interest of the community to focus on maintaining structures as single family homes and limiting the amount of properties being sold as subdivided rental units. The parking situation has also mottled the appearance of the Borough’s neighborhoods with high volumes of street parking necessitated by the overcrowding of once appropriately occupied dwellings. Perhaps one commuting connection which is not frequently considered is the brief travel time to the city of Pittsburgh’s eastern neighborhoods of Oakland, Shadyside and Squirrel Hill from Tarentum. In the midst of rush hour traffic, one can commute to Shadyside and Oakland within approximately 20 minutes. When there is minimal traffic, the commute may be as brief as 15 minutes. With the city’s eastern communities serving as the hub for the region’s educational and medical communities – the ability to live in an area where the residential crime is low, neighborhood shops thrive, a green park and activities exist along the riverfront, charming There is no doubt that Tarentum has Victorian houses are available at a remarkable experienced its share of hardships throughout cost, a neighborhood elementary school is the years with more than its share of industrial, within walking distance and a major shopping infrastructural and residential decline; coupled center is nearby would be an enticing offer to with several floods that have devastated the new education and medical professionals community. But one visit to the town for a paying off mounds of debt and longing for a morning of shopping at the farmer’s market; an short commute from a friendly, personable afternoon dining in the eateries, walking neighborhood. It would indeed be a short through the shops, and visiting the historical commute to work, and just far away enough museum and local library; and evening enjoying from the bustle of the city to enjoy small town a summer concert and breeze from the river will living. let any visitor know they have indeed encountered someplace special.
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THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM 2009-2019
FROM COWANWANIK TO CHARTIER was known for decades as “Chartier’s Old Town”. Because of its location on the Allegheny The history of Tarentum, Pennsylvania begins in River at the mouth of Bull Creek, Chartier’s Old a place known to the Shawnee Indians as Town continued as a major crossroads village Cowanwanik, or “the place of the bull buffalo”. long after Chartier moved westward in 1745. In the 17th and early 18th centuries the Bull Creek Valley was still grazing territory for Eventually, the conflict which had been raging thousands of elk and bison; as well as bear, in the eastern part of the American colonies wolves and other wildlife that have long since between the English settlers and Native disappeared. American tribes came to the Alle-Kiski Valley. Increasing waves of white settlement and the continual taking of Native American grounds provoked natives and incidents of violent conflict became inevitable. In the Bull Creek Massacre of 1791, several whole families were slaughtered in the cabin of Abraham Ross near the junction of Bull Creek Road and Van Teal Hollow. In the late 18th century, the west bank of the Allegheny River was largely the wilderness, and still Indian Territory. And so, in order to fortify control and provide protection for settlers in the area, Captain Robert Orr a noted frontiersman and Revolutionary War veteran, built a blockhouse in 1783 at the mouth of Bull Creek. In this location for several years after, Captain Orr and his brigade of volunteer militia led attacks on the natives.
In about 1728 hundreds of Shawnee refugees had arrived in the Bull Creek Valley situated on the west side of the Allegheny River, in a large area known as Alleghenia. The Shawnee had been driven from their ancient homelands in eastern Pennsylvania by advancing English colonists. Headed by Chief Nukakana, the Shawnee settled at mouth of Bull Creek. Eventually, it became the largest and most important of several Indian villages scattered throughout the region of the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas Rivers. It was here, in 1734 that Pierre Chartier, a part French, part Shawnee fur trader started a trading post. Chartier’s trading post became the center of the village, which
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM
URGED FORWARD
By 1796 new families had begun to arrive in of Ross Street into present day Harrison Chartier’s Old Town. Some of them were Township. Caroline and Henry Brackenridge Revolutionary War veterans who had been built a home called Oak Grove, just west of granted parcels of land as payment for their what became Sycamore Street in Natrona. In wartime service. The most notable of these the fall of 1829, Caroline gave her husband was Felix Negley, who had served with Captain permission to have a significant portion of the Orr in the Westmoreland militia. Negley held property surveyed and divided into town lots. title to a strip of land extending west from Shortly thereafter, Judge Brackenridge laid out present day Ross Street (Bull Creek), and the streets and named the growing village encompassing all of what eventually became Tarentum - the Latin name for the colony of the West Tarentum. Between 1797 and 1800, ancient Greeks on the Gulf of Tarentum in Negley and a crew of men built a damn on Bull southern Italy. This is true, despite the tale that Creek along with a saw mill, grist mill, and what Brackenridge, or Negley, or the Indians, was also said to be the first flour mill west of depending on who tells the story; built a row of the Allegheny River; and later, a carting and homes along the Allegheny River, and simply folding mill. named it Tarentum.
Mill Street thus became the first street in a village that was then part of Deer Township. Beyond Negley’s laborers and friends who built log cabins at the mouth of Bull Creek, the only other residence in the village for the next quarter of a century was the home of James Lizley, who built a log house on 6th Avenue across from what is now the railroad station. The population of Chartier’s Old Town in 1825 was thus likely not more than 100 persons.
Tarentum seceded from East Deer Township and was formally incorporated as the third borough in Allegheny County in the year 1842.
At that time, it included sections to the east of In 1827, Judge Henry Brackenridge, son of what would later become Harrison Township in Supreme Court Justice and Whiskey Rebellion 1863. The establishment of Tarentum Borough figure Hugh Henry Brackenridge, acquired by was one of many achievements in the life of marriage an estate of several thousand acres of Judge Brackenridge. He was an eloquent and land along the Allegheny River, extending east progressive champion of human rights.
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THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM 2009-2019
THE CANAL AND THE DIRTY BLACK OOZE home of Tarentum’s main canal conductor, John Kennedy Sr., is now a Tarentum landmark. The major impetus for Tarentum’s development, however, had actually arrived a year before Brackenridge laid out the town, and likely helped prompt his decision to develop the community. In 1828, just months after the first steamboat traveled the Allegheny from Pittsburgh to Kittanning; the canal, the central form of long distance transportation in America early to mid 19th century, arrived to link Tarentum with Pittsburgh and points east, all the way to Philadelphia.
A stable was built at what was South Canal Street and Ross Street. The horses had to be changed every 7 or 8 miles throughout canal route. After 1834, Bull Creek farmers could ship their produce to Philadelphia in four days. More commonly, farmers could pack up their goods for the overnight trip into Pittsburgh for 25 cents, and arrive at the wharf in the morning for breakfast and a day in the big city, selling and buying goods. The canal gave such life to the community that in just a few short years, the population had grown to 300 people, and included the following businesses: six salt works producing about 70 barrels a day, 2 coal mines, which supplied Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia with large quantities of coal; one The western division of the Pennsylvania Main steam grist and saw mill, one folding and Line Canal, extending from Pennsylvania to carting machine mill, two blacksmith shops, one Johnstown, included 64 locks; one of which was wagon and coach maker shop, one brick and located at Lock Street and another one mile to stone mason, a tailor, three house carpenters, the east at Mile Lock Lane. There was a row three coopers, two shoemaker shops, two dry bridge at Bridge Street, and an overnight goods stores, and two taverns. There were two docking area between Lock and Wood Streets. churches, Presbyterian and Union. There was a The tow path ran on the south side of the canal brick school house which was not yet finished, channel, which was wide enough to let two and a post office. boats pass, and was about six feet deep; good for both fishing and swimming. The canal in Tarentum was fed mainly from Bull Creek. The
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM
especially, it was the natural environment and its resources which provided the basis for future growth. Important in the mid 19th century for food preservation and a host of other uses, salt became the first marketable commodity extracted from the Tarentum area. Sometime before 1810 several salt brine wells were drilled, making Tarentum the first place in western Pennsylvania to produce salt from brine.
Salt wells were drilled near Cairns and across the river in Wild Cat Hollow. In 1850, a group of Quaker businessmen from Philadelphia founded the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company in the section of East Tarentum that in a few years became Natrona. Natrona was christened One of the notable passengers who traveled the as such after “natron”, the Greek word for salt. canal was English novelist Charles Dickens, Penn Salt manufactured a wide variety of salt whose descriptive but caustic commentary of and soda alkaline byproducts, from lye for our region became immortalized in his 1842 home soap making; to chemicals used in the book, “American Notes”. He says, “It became a manufacture of paper and wool; to chemical science to walk to and fro without tumbling explosives used from the Civil War through overboard into the canal. It was somewhat World War II. Downriver in what was then East embarrassing at first too, to have to duck Deer Township, Thomas Kier established a nimbly every 5 minutes, whenever the men refinery in on the site of what is now Greco’s called for us to lie down flat. All night long, and scrap yard. every night on this canal, a storm and tempest of spitting ensued; and once, my coat, being in the very center of a hurricane sustained by five gentlemen I was feigned to lap it on the deck and rub it down with fair water before it was in a condition to be worn again”.
In 1845, Kier and his son James M. Kier accidently discovered the first oil in the United States while cleaning their salt wells. Not pumping their wells on Sunday, the oil which had gathered on top of the salt well over the weekend had to be pumped out. The oil was Despite Dickens’ feelings to the contrary, the contaminating the brine wells of the Kiers and entire region was progressing, and in Tarentum
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THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM 2009-2019 their neighbors. But knowing the local Indians be pumped. In 1859 when Edwin Drake was had used the oil for soothing aching muscles ready to drill for oil in northwest Pennsylvania, and joints, Samuel Kier, another son of Kier and he came calling on Uncle Billy. In April of that a Pittsburgh druggist bottled and sold the year, Smith and his son went with Drake to liniment as Kier’s Rock Oil, or magic oil. Kier Titusville, and on August 25th, helped the established a refinery in Pittsburgh at the Colonel make history by drilling the first present day corner of Grant Street and 7th commercially successful oil well on Oil Creek, Avenue. Kier also began using the petroleum as Pennsylvania. The oil boom was on, thanks in crude aluminen around the saltworks. part to an obscure blacksmith, who quietly returned to Tarentum to live out his remaining As a result, Kier joined Louis Peterson, who in years. After making possible the enormous 1844 had begun selling Tarentum Petroleum, wealth of the Rockefeller Empire, Billy Smith drawn from his farm, on the site which became died in modest circumstances at the age of 88, PPG Industries. The product was then sold to a and is buried in a cemetery in southern Butler cotton factory in Pittsburgh, which used it for County. lubricating their cotton spindles. Before he realized its potential, Peterson had been A CROSSROADS VILLAGE GROWS UP dumping the dirty black grease into the canal, which infuriated the boaters. The Tarentum oil On the eve of the Civil War, the census of 1860 story continued into the 1850’s. Tarentum wells reported half of Tarentum Borough’s produced nearly all the oil used in the United population of 708 to be younger than 20 years States. Penn Salt oil was the first ever shipped of age. Most of the Borough’s residents listed overseas to Great Britain. None of this little their ancestry as German, Anglo-Saxon, Irish known oil history could have been possible and Scotch-Irish. Among the occupations there without William Smith, a blacksmith who hailed were three physicians, four ministers, thirteen from southern Butler County near Cabot. After blacksmiths, nine teamsters, five coal diggers, working in Freeport for a while Uncle Billy, as he six shoemakers, ten seamstresses and two was called; established a blacksmith shop at the lawyers. intersection of Ferry Street and the Pennsylvania Canal in East Deer Township, not far from the Kier salt wells.
The Tarentum area sent two hundred of these residents, more than a quarter of its population, to defend the union during the years 1861- Smith had developed the tools for drilling local 1865. Companies F and I of the 123rd salt brine and oil wells, which prevented sand Pennsylvania Volunteers were recruited here and gravel infiltration into the liquid as it would and placed under the command of Colonel J.B.
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM
Clark. Both companies drilled at McCall’s right of way, filled in the channel, laid the Grove, now Riverview Memorial Park; and took tracks, and the first train arrived in Tarentum in a ferryboat across the river midway where they October of 1866. walked the boardwalk the rest of the way along the shallow part of the river. Across the river, In 1870, the first Tarentum Railroad station was they boarded the Allegheny Valley Railroad constructed, and in 1892, was replaced by a train at Craigdell station, which took them in to building closer to Lock Street than the present Pittsburgh, and on to Harrisburg. There, they structure. In 1915, after another disastrous were mustered in to service on August 8, 1862. flood in 1913, that station was elevated three The soldiers’ equipment was manufactured at feet, along with the tracks, and moved by teams James McCall’s blacksmith shop located in the of horses to the present location and park area near Wood Street. There are today remodeled; complete with landscaped gardens more than one hundred Civil War veterans an enlarged passenger station. buried in Prospect Cemetery in Brackenridge; including John McCullen, who was killed the Around the time of the Civil War, coal mining second day in battle in Gettysburg, and Eli became the predominant source of fuel for Hemphill, one of the many American soldiers residents and growing industries. “The who died of disease during the war. Years later, surrounding hills abound in coal,” declared an Robert McCall held a 25 cent bean bake to raise early prospectus for the town’s development. funds for the Civil War soldiers’ graves. Many Coal ultimately became the central fuel for of Tarentum’s Union troops served in the Battle nearly every major industry which developed in of Fredericksburg in December of 1862. In the region. 1917, the last local Civil War veterans gathered for a photograph outside the Tarentum Municipal Building.
While salt and coal were crucial early resources, it was glassmaking which ultimately identified Tarentum as a manufacturing center within During the years of the Civil War, the Great what was known around the world as the Flood struck the Tarentum area on March 17, Pittsburgh district, or, “The Workshop of the 1863, preceding an even greater Saint Patrick’s World.” In 1874, the Lippincott Bottling Day disaster by nearly 70 years. The 1863 flood company purchased the lot at the corner of inflicted irreparable damage to the channel of First Avenue and Bridge Street. Their plant was Pennsylvania canal; and the canal, already being taken over by C.L. Flaccus in 1879, which rendered obsolete in the burgeoning age of the continued its operation until the 1930’s. In railroad, was abandoned. The Western Division 1884, two Pittsburgh area glass producers of the Pennsylvania Railroad purchased the moved their works to the Tarentum area;
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THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM 2009-2019
Challinar, Taylor and Co., and Richards and became Atlantic Bottling Company, began Hartley. A decade later, the Tarentum Glass making bottles. In 1892 the Tarentum Art and Company was organized. Mirror Glassworks was established on West 7th Avenue near Center Street, later moving to Springdale.
With the growth of industry and population in the 1870’s, the need for financial institutions in the community became obvious. The First National Bank of Tarentum opened in 1875 and was located at the present site of the community library. Part of the national banking system developed after the Civil War. A few months later, the Kennedy Bank, located at the corner of Lock Street and Fifth Avenue, opened for business. By 1890, the Kennedy Bank had closed, and the National Bank of Tarentum had For the next 25 years, all three of these moved into the building. In 1900, the Peoples’ produced some of the finest tableware and National Bank opened for business at the corner pressed glassware in the world. Glassmaking of Wood Street and Fifth Avenue, only to move was the reason for Tarentum’s rapid growth at in 1917 to larger quarters at the corner of the end of the 19th century. The entire area of Corbet Street and Sixth Avenue. Brackenridge along 6th Avenue between Mile Walk Lane and Morgan Street was lined with glassmaking facilities. A lot of the glassworkers came from Europe and some from the other glassmaking communities in the Pittsburgh area. At Flaccus’ glass plant, glassworkers would use a glassblower’s pipe to imprint the name of a local druggist or dairy. As it was work requiring a great deal of attention to detail, Tarentum glass employed high numbers of women. In the days before child labor laws, there were a lot of young teenage boys working in the glass plants. Families needed every penny they could get. Often at the end of the day, workers would take some of their extra YOUR EQUAL glass and fashion canes, and they would carry the canes proudly in Labor Day parades, which Before arriving in Tarentum during the spring of were big events of the time. These were 1880, Captain John Baptiste Ford had been symbols of the excellent craftsmanship of many things, including a riverboat captain on Tarentum glassmakers. There is Tarentum Glass the Mississippi River during the Civil War. on exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum in When he came to Tarentum, Ford possessed an Washington D.C., and the Metropolitan interest in establishing a facility to manufacture Museum of Art in New York City. plate glass. Several attempts had been made by There were even more glass companies which other men, but Ford was determined to use the sprang from the glass boom of the late 19th combination of an abundant supply of natural century. In 1895, Fidelity Glass, which later
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM gas, coal, sand and gravel from the nearby Allegheny River as the keys to making it work.
In 1881, Ford, having teamed up with Pennsylvania Railroad official John Pitcairn, After going bankrupt in New Albany, Indiana, in started construction of the New York City Plate his first efforts to produce plate glass in this Glass Company, later changed to the Pittsburgh country; he borrowed $100 dollars from one of Plate Glass company, Works 1, in nearby East his workmen and he parlayed that into a Deer Township. It was complete in 1883, and fortune. He took the $100 dollars that he Works 2 in Tarentum was also soon online. The borrowed, and got on a train with a glass sewer PPG works became the first successful plate pipe under his arm. He owned the patent to glass manufacturing facility in the United States, this glass sewer pipe, and he was headed to and the first major industry of any kind to use New York City to sell this product to the New natural gas in production. Although he York City officials, who he heard were going to respected the work ethic of the local people, put in a sewer system. He sold that patent for Ford knew he had to bring in skilled craftsmen about $40,000, so from that $100 he now had from Europe who knew the art of glassmaking, $40,000. While he was on the train, he met and so he did, recruiting heavily from Belgium, General Freemont, a hero of the Mexican War. and thus began the settlement of West He was also convinced that he could sell land Tarentum, and selling of lots on that side of America won in the Mexican War along the town. Thus the establishment of PPG not only Mexican border. So he picked up another made industrial history, it literally gave life to $20,000 selling real estate. At that point, he the west side of town, and to the growing went to the New York bankers. He paid visits to villages of Hite and Creighton, both of which the Pittsburgh bankers first, but they turned had essentially been farm country since the him down. He wanted to build a glass plant in days of Felix Negley. Further, the immigration of Creighton. He believed that this would be the Belgians greatly enriched the ethnic heritage of best place, because it contained a new fuel he the Borough. wanted to work with (natural gas), and he was probably the first person in the world to use natural gas in the production of plate glass.
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THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM 2009-2019
place known to union organizers at the time as Black Valley, because of the harsh anti-union stance of most industrial employers.
Nevertheless, these factories drew thousands of immigrants to the Tarentum area, primarily from southern and eastern Europe, and later, from the American south. They settled on the west side of town, a section which was soon thereafter known as “Little Europe”, or “The Catholic side of town”. Germans, Italians and Slovaks settled heavily in West Tarentum; establishing their own churches, fraternal clubs, and grocery stores. Conroy Way was known Unlike many of his industrialist contemporaries, pejoratively as “Hunky Alley”, because of the Captain Ford was not only a great predominance of Slovaks who lived there. philanthropist; he was by all accounts a true friend of working people. He donated the $50,000 necessary to build the Allegheny Valley Young Men’s Christian Association. On November 14, 1891, more than 1,000 PPG workers from Tarentum and Creighton traveled to Ford City, many on PPG sternwheelers. They went there for the purpose of unveiling a statue to Captain Ford which they themselves had paid for. The statue served as a lasting tribute of the feelings they had for the captain. As Captain Ford near the end of his life he recalled, “My relations with labor are among the great consolations of my old age. There never was a man who worked for me who was unwilling to return to my employ. I have always believed in making the man in the factory your equal”. The people brought with them from their native THE CATHOLIC SIDE OF TOWN lands not only a strong work ethic, but also deeply held spiritual beliefs and cultural By the turn of the century, there were a number traditions. Often times, these were woven of major industries in the Tarentum area. They together, as in the case of St. Clements well- included not only the glass factories; but the known Slovak choir, or Sacred Heart’s Corpus paper mills, Shoop Bronze Company, Penn Iron Christi sawdust carpets; a tradition which was and Steel, a planing mill and a cigar factory, transplanted from the Black Forest of Germany among others. to the German congregation at Sacred Heart by Holy Ghost Fathers during World War II. Work was plentiful, but dangerous. The hours Initially, it was a way of vividly praying for an were long by today’s standards. Steelworkers, end to the war. But, the tradition took hold, PPG Glassworkers and miners worked 12 hour and continues to this day. days, 6 days a week and a 20 hour shift every 2 weeks. There was no union organization in the
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In the later part of the 1910’s, African Americans began fleeing the oppression of the
American south and heading north in search of greater freedom and opportunity. In the Formally launched in 1906 by a group which Pittsburgh area, many of those who took part in included benefactor Henry Morgan the Great Migration arrived by way of recruiting Brackenridge, the hospital began service on agents sent on behalf of mining and steel January 28, 1909 in the Barr residence on companies. Unbeknownst to them, African Second Avenue. Quickly outgrowing that Americans were brought into the region as building in October of 1909, the hospital group strike breaking scabs to take the jobs of white purchased the large residence on West 7th immigrants in the mines and mills. This was Avenue originally built by John B Ford. evident during the Great Steel Strike of 1919. Remodeled by the firm of Seftin and Myers, the Blacks used as pawns in the conflict were new Allegheny Valley Hospital opened in settled across the tracks in an area known as August, 1910. It was at this location that the Wayman Way, and in Brackenridge on Clay first class of the Allegheny Valley School of Street; both of which were clearly segregated Nursing graduated in October of 1914. from the rest of their communities. Upon their However, this structure would also prove too arrival, blacks established the Bethel African small, and plans were underway by 1915 for the Methodist Episcopal Church on Wayman Way. construction of a new hospital. Led by William “Daddy” Lester Walker, the community PUBLIC FACILITIES responded with an outpouring of financial support, large and small, prompting one citizen Calamities and disasters have often brought out to remark, “…. it was the first time in the history the best in Tarentum people - their ingenuity, of the valley that this community got together bravery, generosity and spirit of volunteerism. on one thing for longer than 10 minutes.” Such was the case during the flood of 1891, Awarded a Loving Cup for his leadership, which saw the Allegheny River rise higher than Walker commented, “One individual does not anybody could remember, and caused severe make a community. It is perseverance and all illness throughout the community. Likewise, in going in one direction that counts.” th the first years of the 20 century, the rising number of waterborne diseases and industrial accidents prompted several physicians of the Tarentum area to establish what was first called the Allegheny Valley General Hospital.
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Tarentum. He suggested it be stationed on West 9th Avenue, as there was a church and a bell to ring to alert residents and business owners. The Humes family on the corner of West 9th and West Valley donated part of their barn to be used as a place to station the hose reel. On December 23, 1896, Saint Peter’s church caught fire. The hose companies from Tarentum all responded. The water reel was used to protect all of the homes around the church. The church itself burnt completely down to the foundation. On January 29, 1906, the Frischern meat market caught fire. It was The location selected for the new hospital was large fire and all three Tarentum hose in Harrison Township near the old Tarentum companies and the Brackenridge fire company fairgrounds. The building design chosen was responded. After the Frischern fire, Mr. William that of a Pittsburgh architect who later Nicklaus called a meeting and the Third Ward designed Grandview school, the Peoples Bank, Hose Company changed to Summit Hose and American Legion Post 885. On June 12 Company. In 1908, they moved to West 7th 1919, forty patients were transferred to the Avenue. new hospital. A similar spirit of community service arose following the Great Fire of No organization better exemplified the spirit of December 21, 1885, in which most of the Sixth community involvement than the Tarentum Avenue business district was destroyed. Bucket Brackenridge chapter of the American Red brigades fought with great futility to douse the Cross. During World War I, their activities both fire. Only barrels of salt prevented further home and abroad were many, and included the destruction of the town. Soon after the fire, the preparation of comfort kits for the servicemen, first volunteer fire company was formed. surgical dressings and garments, and other Known first as the Independent Pump and Hose knitted articles. They also supported liberty loan Company, it was later renamed Eureka Hose. In drives and war fund campaigns and provided 1898, the Highland Hose company was emergency hospital and sanitary services during organized and in 1906, West Tarentum the great influenza epidemic of 1918. residents organized Summit Hose.
In 1886 Captain John Baptiste Ford donated a Throughout the late 19th and early 20th hose reel to the residents of the Third Ward of centuries there was steady progress in the
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM improvement of public transportation and battle the Borough in 1918 led by Valley Daily infrastructure in Tarentum. Strangely enough, News publisher Charles Preston Howe and two polls taken in 1874 showed the community Burgess E. Clay White won the right to form its somewhat divided on whether to install own water company. Indeed, the Borough of streetlights. Nevertheless, fifteen oil street Tarentum was a state leader in the movement lamps were installed that year at a cost of toward municipal ownership of water and $132.00. Until Corbet Street was paved in electric power companies. In 1914, the 1897, all of the streets were dirt and mud, Borough replaced its first municipal building at depending on the weather. There were several Corbet and Third Avenue with a grand new livery stables on either side of town, and some structure on Lock Street. With the inaugural chose to take part in the newest fad – bicycling paving of Corbet Street in 1897, others from one end of town to the other. eventually followed, along with the installation In 1898, getting around was made easier with of concrete sidewalks. the formation of the Tarentum Traction Passenger Railway Company, forerunner of the Getting news out to the people began with the Allegheny Valley Street Railway. In 1904, they publication of the Allegheny Valley Times in built a car barn on Adams Street and 2nd Avenue 1881. This was followed by the Tarentum – today, the site of Highland Tire, where the Telegram, the Tarentum Times, and the trolley tracks can still be found. Eventually, Tarentum Evening Telegram. Outliving them all trolley service ran on the west side of town was the Valley Daily News, established in 1904 through the east over the viaduct, linking by Charles Preston Howe on Boyd Street. A few Tarentum with surrounding communities via years later, they moved into more modern the TB and B trolley, affectionately named the quarters. In 1970 the Valley Daily News merged Toonerville trolley, after a favorite comic strip with the New Kensington Daily Dispatch to form of the time. the Valley News Dispatch, still headquartered in Tarentum.
In 1913, a bitter labor struggle engulfed the trolley industry in the region, with strike breakers being brought in, and crowds choosing Since the mid 1830’s, but accelerating in the sides. Jitney service was revived during the late 19th century, the growing population of strike, as a temporary means of transportation. Tarentum was in a constant need to expand There were other improvements to facilities for the educational growth of children infrastructure. After a bitterly contested court and for the spiritual enrichment of its citizens.
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The first Tarentum library, known as the “The Reading Room”, opened in 1901. Located in the basement of the YMCA, this was part of Captain Ford’s philanthropic legacy in Tarentum. Several years after Ford’s departure, however, financial resources to sustain the library were lacking, and it was forced to close. After a fundraising appeal in 1923, the library reopened and in 1942 it expanded to larger quarters in the First Ward School. When the school itself expanded in 1949, the library moved again to Spiritual faith has been at the center of the Council Room, located in the Tarentum Tarentum’s sense of community since the very Borough building. Within a few years, the beginning. Felix Negley, a German Lutheran, library outgrew this facility, and moved to its invited other groups to hold religious services in present location on East 6th Avenue, in the his barn in the summer and his home in winter. former Windsor Music Store. The Bull Creek Presbyterian church, the Tarentum area’s oldest church, dates to 1794. The first schoolhouse built in 1828 at the corner The First Methodist church of Tarentum dates of Lock and 4th Avenue was replaced by a back to 1810. The First Presbyterian and United building at the corner of Ross Street and 9th churches date back to the 1830’s. The Highview Avenue. A four room schoolhouse was built on structure is one of the grandest and oldest the west side of town, and enlarged in 1898 as buildings in Tarentum, dating to 1868. Sts. the Third Ward School. Parochial schools at Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Sacred Heart and St. Clement provided for the formed in 1918, is the only Catholic church on education of Tarentum’s Catholic children. In the east side of town. The Ovam Shalom 1892, the Second Ward School building was Synagogue dates to 1923. The Pittsburgh constructed. Tarentum Campground Meeting was Like the library, the tale of the First Ward established in 1850 as an outdoor seasonal School is also one of movement. The First Ward meeting place for the Methodist congregation. School, built in 1895 at the corner of 9th Avenue Today, it is an interdenominational place of and Corbet Street served as Tarentum High quiet worship strongly rooted in the sense of School until the Grandview School was built in faith and community. the 1920’s. At that time, the original school from 1855 was torn down, and the new Grandview became the grade school and junior high school. Later, Grandview became Tarentum High School, and the grade school for the First Ward was housed in the building at 9th and Corbet. Changes continued in the 1960’s with the merger of Fawn and Harrison Township, along with Brackenridge and Tarentum into the Highlands School District. Grandview today has reverted to its original use as an elementary school.
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Music also fed the soul of Tarentum people. industries laid off men by the hundreds, and Organized in the late 19th century, Tarentum’s businesses put out signs saying, “No Help Keystone Band was nationally recognized and Wanted.” The First National Bank and Trust played at the funeral procession of President Company, like thousands of banks around the William McKinley in 1901, who incidentally was country, closed its doors. The Great Depression assassinated by Leon Czolgosz of Natrona. held the Alle-Kiski Valley in its grip for the next Similarly, the drum and bugle corps of the decade. The founder of Allegheny Steel American Legion Post 885 won numerous frequently assisted members of the community national competitions for its performances. by providing money for coal and clothes for With its advancements in business, industry, children. The U.S. Government’s Works culture, spiritual faith, and musical tradition; Progress Administration (WPA) built Tarentum’s Tarentum was entering its golden age. water building, completed a vast amount of work on the Tarentum Park, and the honor roll THE END OF A PERFECT DAY in Brackenridge.
Like many communities, Tarentum experienced a business boom at the end of World War I. Part of this construction legacy is the Tarentum Post Office. This era also saw the establishment of Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park. The move to purchase the riverfront property was a progressive step for the Borough. Over the years, thousands have strolled there, had wedding pictures taken there, listened to band concerts, and played on cannons overlooking the river. It remains the only riverfront park anywhere near its size in all of Allegheny County. OOZE AND DESOLATION
On Tuesday morning, March 17, 1936, the Allegheny River was in the living room of hundreds of Tarentum residents. By the end of the day, thousands would be forced from their homes in the greatest flood in western Pennsylvania history. Although no one from Tarentum perished, the flooding did leave more than 200 dead in 14 states from Maine to Kentucky. Hundreds of thousands were left homeless. Several thousand homeless families were housed in the YMCA, Hi-Brac High School, A LITTLE MEANT ALOT the Church of God, Prospect School, Calvary Baptist Church, the Oddfellows Hall, the In October of 1929, the business boom which American Legion Post, and Sacred Heart Church. had sent America roaring through the decade The flooding was caused by two straight days of came to a screeching halt, with the collapse of rain and spring thaw. The Saint Patrick’s Day the stock market. The impact in Tarentum, as flood brought in waters rising at a rate of over elsewhere in America, was profound. Local three inches per hour during the night of March
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16. The waters crested on March 18 at 42 feet area sent nearly 2,000 men and women above flood level, covering the railroad tracks overseas in an effort to defeat Hitler and Axis and East 6th Avenue in Tarentum. Forty-five forces. At home, food was rationed, as coffee, people had to be evacuated by boat from the meat and butter were purchased with food Unger building at Fifth and Ross Street. On stamps. Gasoline was hard to come by, and West 6th Avenue, one man was rescued from his victory gardens were planted. Local industries attic when a hole was cut through his roof to and offices, whose employment rolls were free him. All local mills, electric, water, and gas stocked heavily with women, were essential in services east of the tracks were shut down. The producing the necessary steel, coal, glass, Valley Daily News had to be printed from the paper, chemicals and aluminum to help win the offices of the Butler Eagle and the New war. Allegheny Ludlum received an “E flag”, for Kensington Daily Dispatch. The National Guard excellence in production to the government. moved in to help prevent looting and 300 men Service flags were flown in windows of families employed by the WPA moved in to assist with who had lost a loved one in the war. Sister and the cleanup. The Red Cross was mobilized once mother pins were worn by those who had again and was invaluable in assisting local family members in the service. A large honor citizens with an infinite array of needs. The roll erected at the corner of Corbet Street and Great Flood of ‘36 forever gave new meaning to Third Avenue was dedicated on May 2, 1943. the celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in the Alle- The names of all Tarentum boys who served in Kiski Valley. Exactly 67 years and 6 months the war appeared on the roll. It was later later, Tarentum would again be devastated by replaced by a monument in Tarentum Park. massive flooding resulting from Hurricane Ivan on September 17, 2004. Five years later, some businesses and residences are still suffering the residual effects of the flooding.
When the war ended, the Centennial celebration planned for Tarentum in 1942 was held in 1947, and the American Legion Post 885 designed the interior of their ballroom as WE WERE VERY PROUD memorial to their veterans and those killed in battle. A team of designers from Pittsburgh When the United States entered World War II in Plate Glass led by architect Albert Van Dine, December of 1941, the Tarentum -Brackenridge father of KDKA newsman Wayne Van Dine,
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM sandblasted the maps and emblems with neon Hambre Theater opened on East 6th Avenue and as a striking memorial to those whose efforts Ross Street. Tarentum’s second opera house will never be forgotten. was an even grander structure. Located on Corbet Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, the ELBOW TO ELBOW Tareco Opera House opened in January 1906, and had a seating capacity of 1,200 and a stage In 1936, the Tarentum directory listed the larger than any theater between New York and following business establishments in the Chicago. The name of the opera house was Borough – 28 grocery stores, 9 meat markets, 4 changed to the Nixon in 1907, and then the fruit stands, 10 confectionaries, 5 dairy stores, 3 Harris Theater in 1926. Although the first bakeries, 7 pharmacies, 9 lunch rooms and motion picture was held at the Nixon in July of restaurants, 10 clothing shops, 7 shoes stores, 1913, the first movie theater in town was 8 repair shops, 2 tailors, 8 cleaners, 7 furniture actually located on the first floor of the Masonic stores, 3 flower shops, 4 jewelry stores, 7 Temple building. The Boyd Family Orchestra variety stores, 13 barber and 11 beauty shops, 8 played here frequently. There was a theater in real estate and insurance agents, 5 car dealers, the Praha Hotel, destroyed by fire in 1908. 16 service stations, 4 hardware stores, 2 Oppenheimer then opened the People’s blacksmiths, 58 other miscellaneous Theater on East 5th Avenue in 1910. Another establishments. Tarentum’s population was at theater with a short life was the Dreamland, its peak of more than 10,000 citizens and located on the site of the old G.C. Murphy store business was booming. on Corbet Street, and immediately destroyed by Fire in 1908. The Star Theatre replaced the Dreamland, only to burn in 1926. On the west side of town, there was the Gem Theatre on 7th Avenue, and the DeTola, which later became the Penn.
For entertainment, one might go to one of Tarentum’s many large theaters. In 1886 the community’s largest commercial building known as the Oppenheimer Building, was erected at the corner of Fifth Avenue and what is now Corbet Street. The structure was originally graced with two prominent towers which were removed in 1919. The Opera House, located on the second floor, was used for vaudeville and Indian medicine shows. A Beginning with countless afternoon ballgames skating rink and dance hall were built in the at Peterson’s Ballfield, sports have always been building’s rear, while stores like J.C. Vogeley’s a part of Tarentum’s recreation and life. The occupied the first floor. A year or so later the El Allegheny Steel baseball team was one of the
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THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM 2009-2019 best semi-pro clubs in western Pennsylvania. In the years that followed, the Natrona Heights There were high school championship teams Plaza Shopping Center, Riverview Shopping and stand-out players as well. Plaza in New Kensington, and Hillcrest Shopping Center in Lower Burrell all opened for business; drawing shoppers now fully equipped with automobiles away from Tarentum’s business district. What happened in the cities and small towns in America in the post war years occurred in Tarentum as well. A combination of suburbanization, our fixation on the automobile, and the rumblings of de- industrialization which entailed the loss of high paying manufacturing jobs; all contributed to the decline of Tarentum’s business sector and depopulation beginning as early as the 1950’s. A telltale sign of the decline in population was the closing of the Harris Theater in December, 1959. Other businesses would follow.
TROUBLES LOOM AMIDST PROSPERITY
Several events of the 1950’s and 1960’s which appeared at the time to be leaps forward for Tarentum’s progress helped to turn Tarentum’s business district on a downward slide from which it has not yet fully recovered. For decades, Alle-Kiski Valley residents longed for a bridge across the Allegheny River north of the one in New Kensington. At the time, the Natrona lock and damn had been built in the PRIDE IN TARENTUM mid-1920’s and there was much discussion of a bridge between Natrona and Rayburn. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Tarentum Ultimately, through the efforts of local Borough along with an organization calling itself businessmen, the Allegheny County Chamber of the Pride In Tarentum Redevelopment Commerce and state representatives Kenneth Organization, or PIT, launched an effort to Lydic and George Stuart, a bridge connecting revitalize the Borough. The centerpiece of PIT’s Tarentum with New Kensington and Arnold was work initially was the Tarentum Railroad the preferred route. After decades of station, which had been closed for years and engineering and several years of construction, was purchased by the Borough’s parking on February 26, 1952, the Tarentum Bridge was authority in 1981. The Tarentum History and open for traffic. The opening of the bridge Landmarks Foundation worked to place the occurred with men from the surrounding areas building on the National Register of Historic again fighting halfway around the world; this Places, and then PIT got together with the time, in Korea. Borough to facilitate the restoration of the structure. It is now an historical showplace and
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2009-2019 THE HISTORY OF TARENTUM fine restaurant. In the same way, businessman George Gatto purchased the former YMCA building and relocated his new Cycle Shop and Diner. In 1986, led by Attorney Alexander H. Lindsay, the Allegheny Valley Expressway was completed. The missing link of this highway had extended from Natrona Heights to Creighton, and required extraordinary engineering to complete. Bulldozers cut into the hills of West Tarentum; Bull Creek was covered with what some called the largest culvert in the world, and Bull Creek Valley was filled in with enough dirt to fill Three Rivers Stadium four times. Though progress was achieved with the completion of the expressway, it did cause division of the communities of Job’s Hole and Mill Street Extension.
Although time and development have taken landmarks away, many remain vital to parts of the community. These are the physical reminders of not only what once was, but of what can be again. Beyond the physical bricks and mortar are the people.
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maintaining clean streets, and increasing police THE FUTURE OF TARENTUM visibility.
Residents, business owners and community stakeholders began the formal process of participating in the reformulation of the comprehensive plan on May 5, 2006. At that time, more than 100 surveys were filled out which answered the following questions: What do you believe are the assets and strengths of Tarentum as a community? What do you believe to be Tarentum’s major problems and weaknesses? What do you believe to be Tarentum’s specific community needs?
In terms of assets and strengths, residents felt that the Police, Fire and EMS services stood out On October 11, 2007, more than 75 residents, from those in other communities. Those items former residents, business owners and were followed by people and neighbors, parks interested activists from neighboring and playgrounds, the street department – communities gathered at First United particularly cleaning and snow removal; the Presbyterian Church on Lock Street to discuss riverfront, the town’s close proximity to Route their vision for Tarentum’s future through the 28, geographic location overall, proximity to the year 2019. This first public meeting began with Pittsburgh Mills Mall, and affordability. a presentation which detailed items in place to begin the process of compiling material and In stating what they found to be major researching information to be contained in the problems and weaknesses, business owners and Comprehensive Plan. These items included residents said vacant or deteriorating land and grant monies made possible for the buildings were at the top of the list; followed by comprehensive planning effort from the the need for new business, parking, street and Pennsylvania Department of Community and sidewalk repair, stray dogs and cats, lack of pet Economic Development, the office of State cleanup, absentee or slum landlords, lack of Senator Sean Logan, the office of State areas for children and teens to play, high taxes, Representative Frank Dermody and the utility bills and fees, drugs and crime, and street Allegheny County Department of Community cleaning. and Economic Development. The audience was also informed that a Field View and Basic In defining specific community needs, survey Conditions Survey of the Third Ward was participants indicated the need to attract new complete, as well as a Field View of traffic and businesses by offering incentives, instating parking Conditions. Duquesne University’s landlord accountability, instituting more School of Law was prepared to reactivate the programs for children and teens, new Pride In Tarentum group; the draft of the first recreation areas and programs for all ages, newsletter had been prepared, and the 2006 riverfront recreation expansion, more parking revitalization survey results had been compiled. and the inception of parking permits, acquiring The planning process for the Comprehensive and demolishing or renovating vacant buildings, Plan was introduced, and the compilation of the providing incentives for existing or new Tarentum’s assets and strength, major homeowners to rehabilitate their structures, problems and weaknesses, and specific community needs was reviewed.
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Parallel aspects of the issues that faced Tarentum when the last comprehensive plan was completed in 1964 were introduced, and the audience took time to comment on the similarities. The draft components for the new Comprehensive Plan were introduced, as were plans for Third Ward redevelopment, the Keystone Opportunity Zone, infrastructure, housing and Riverfront Park. Draft goals were introduced, as was a mission and vision for the project. Residents began to discuss their thoughts on the goals, mission and vision, and after some thought and much discussion, residents presented the following items and Mission: To unite the input from Tarentum’s circumstances as matters to be considered for business, residential, and civic organizations inclusion in their new comprehensive plan: with empirical data in conjunction with historical studies conducted by the Borough to devise a plan for Tarentum’s revitalization
Vision: A self-sustaining economy in Tarentum that draws in new businesses, supports older established businesses, and is inviting to new residents
Following the establishment of goals, mission and vision; attendees began to make suggestions for items to be addressed in the comprehensive plan. Each item, more than 36 Primary Goals: in total, was agreed upon by the residents after much discussion and several duplicate, Ensure rehabilitation is true to original supporting suggestions were combined to construction solidify these 36 items. These suggestions were taken back to the drawing table, and Replace crumbling sidewalks and faded appropriately divided into the following signs categories:
Ensure adequate room for business Aesthetics expansion in appropriate districts Business
Housing Focus on single family homes to increase the likelihood of positive home Municipal Planning maintenance Parking Public Facilities/Services Encourage proper use of parking areas Recreation Roads Keep road projects on schedule
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buildings in their commercial district would look like if they were restored to their original glory. Many of the buildings, particularly in the commercial district, have been the subject of period specific additions over the years. Therefore, some beautiful Victorian structures have been outfitted with aluminum siding storefront extensions, and the character of those once uniform buildings is more accurately assessed as a random assortment of structures reflective of the period in which the buildings were adapted for their latest use.
The second of three public meetings was held Ensure Redevelopment Blends and is Uniform on March 5, 2008. During this meeting at Holy in Appearance Martyrs Catholic Church on West 9th Avenue, residents took part in a prioritization exercise. In much the same spirit as ensuring Previous suggestions discussed in the rehabilitation remains true to original September meeting were listed under the construction, residents expressed the need for Aesthetics, Business, Housing, Municipal building refacements to blend and have a Planning, Parking, Public Facilities and Services, deliberate, coordinated appearance in the Recreation, and Roads categories. Everyone in midst of preservation efforts. attendance took part in a “dot prioritization” exercise. Attendees were each given a specific Replace Jersey Barrier with a Simple Divider on number of green, yellow and red dots to place Sixth Avenue on each item. The dots provided the freedom needed to express their opinions be they A small cohort of residents felt that the Jersey strongly in favor of, neutral or unsure of, or barrier was a cold and visually unappealing decidedly against a suggestion on the wall method of diverting traffic and would prefer charts. Wall charts contained every suggestion another method such as a guard rail style provided in the first meeting. Residents also barrier or planters. had the opportunity to suggest a few more items that were not provided at the September Sidewalks Must Be Replaced meeting. The following are the results from the March 5, 2008 meeting: Residents made mention of the condition of sidewalks in random areas of the Borough. The Aesthetics Borough Manager noted that a sidewalk replacement program was already underway Ensure Rehabilitation is True to Original and several areas had already received new Construction sidewalks. The sidewalk replacement program includes both cement and brick sidewalks. Residents expressed an overwhelming sentiment to either preserve or restore the Faded Street Signs unique architecture inherent in the community. Working closely with Urban Design Associates A few residents felt that street signs and signs and the Pennsylvania History and Landmarks noting the location of landmarks in the Borough Foundation several months after this meeting, were faded, lacking visibility and in some cases, they had the opportunity to see what select uniformity. As of the time of this public
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2009-2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION involvement session, more than $20,000 had businesses to expand, develop, and relocate already been spent on the replacement of signs within the Borough as necessary. Efforts are within the past five years. currently underway to allow for expansion and relocation, and the Borough has indicated a Business positive relationship between the local government and business owners who are Ensure Adequate Room for Business Expansion thriving and growing despite the current in Appropriate Districts economic downturn.
Recognizing Tarentum’s status as an older, established borough with a finite amount of developable land, particularly in the Borough’s business districts; residents have requested that the Borough ensure that its zoned areas are being appropriately used and vacant or substandard buildings be acquired and demolished.
Focus on Current Major Employers in the Area and Their Desire for Expansion and Relevant Location
West 7th Avenue gives People the Wrong Idea about Tarentum – Great Area for a Rehabilitated Business Zone
The West 7th Avenue Corridor is a Tarentum’s secondary business district. Both residents and Borough officials are currently displeased with the state of the corridor, which contains a discordant assortment of businesses, vacant buildings, and crumbling residences. Borough officials and residents alike both expressed the desire to remake West 7th Avenue into a Residents noted there are several businesses municipal service district – complete with who they feel are valuable members of the Borough offices, a community center, police community. These businesses have almost and fire stations, and plenty of green space to unanimously demonstrated a vested interest in join the complexes. the community, and are commonly owned by Tarentum residents or individuals who grew up Make Tax Credits Available for Emerging in the community. As Tarentum is an older, Businesses established community with a clearly defined, landlocked business district; space for Residents expressed interest in the opportunity expansion and development is not easily or possibility of establishing relief for businesses located and most definitely at a premium. who choose to locate within vacant or newly Residents want to ensure that everything that is constructed storefronts. They felt that the ease possible will be done to allow the Borough’s of traveling to Tarentum from surrounding
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION 2009-2019 municipalities has not been properly marketed, Housing particularly to the high volume of workday commuters utilizing the Tarentum Bridge. They Focus on Single Family Homes to Remedy also acknowledged the challenge presented by Parking Situation the new Pittsburgh Mills development to Tarentum’s shopping district, but feel that As mentioned previously, this suggestion to personalized service and specialty stores not target single family homes to alleviate supported by a shopping mall environment can overcrowded parking conditions was made in and do thrive, and are sought after both the business and housing sections. Insofar commodities in Tarentum. as it relates to housing, its intention was to reduce the number of subdivisions inside single Focus on Single Family Homes to Increase the family homes, thus reducing the necessary Likelihood of Positive Home Maintenance number of parking spaces per structure. Some larger houses, which may have been subdivided This suggestion was made while discussing both over the years, may contain as many as six or the business and housing categories. In more units. These six units may contain two or reference to the business category, attendees more people each. Therefore, larger houses acknowledged that many access points to the which may have contained only one family car business community were lined with residential in years past are now multi-unit apartments structures. The condition of these structures, which may be vying for twelve parking spaces many felt, set the tone for how business near the structure. With the potential for owners, who may or may not live in the several multi- unit structures on the same community, feel motivated to care for their street, one can easily see where as many as 36 property. Likewise, they feel more business cars may be fighting for space in an area where owners would be likely to maintain the three cars may have once been able to easily appearance of their businesses if the park in front the former single family home. In surrounding residences were in pristine the areas where the homes are close to the condition. business district, alleviating the parking problem for residential housing would also Determine Accessibility of Keystone make more parking available to business district Opportunity Zone for Development patrons.
Some residents recognized the inherent Several residents suggested the possibility of possibilities in developing Tarentum’s Keystone introducing or reinforcing existing subdivision Opportunity Zone, located on the hill on the codes to reduce the number of units that may opposite side of Route 28, overlooking the exist inside a structure which formerly served as Borough. It has been noted that developing a single family home. Meeting attendees that plot of land is difficult due to the steep considered this to be one of the most pressing terrain and difficulty in navigating equipment to problems in Tarentum. excavate and level a lot suitable for development, in addition to the difficulty Pass an Ordinance That Limits The Number of associated with installing sewage service and Vehicles Per House roadway up the hill to the property. As of now, plans to develop the property are on hold, but This suggestion coincides with the item above, the Borough is still looking into the feasibility of referring specifically to homes that were several alternative uses for the KOZ. formerly grand single family structures. This suggestion was not meant in any way to limit the number of cars a single family living in a
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2009-2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION single family, undivided structure may have on be established by the Borough to assist single their property. Attendees felt that issuing family homeowners in maintaining and parking permits to residents of subdivided units rehabilitating their property. Such a program, may alleviate the Borough’s parking woes. residents thought, might create a “ripple” effect in home maintenance; thus raising the value of homes in the Borough. Several residents had noted that just one person on their street made improvements to their home, and suddenly, whole streets were taking on tasks to maintain homes and property. Residents felt that a Borough sponsored program; perhaps a small tax reduction or small prize awarded by the Borough to the most improved street, may benefit the community.
Instill Pride in Renters As Well As Homeowners
Tarentum homeowners, joined in this thought Pass a Local Ordinance That Limits the Number by business owners, felt that a large segment in of People per Bedroom Due to Over Occupancy the downturn of building conditions was due to of Rental Units renters living in formerly single family homes not assisting in the maintenance, or pickup, of Some residents were concerned with the the outside structure. Residents feel that number of residents per unit in some of the landlords who operate these structures may subdivided single family houses. Residents felt frequently, although not unanimously, be that more than two people (for example, up to absentee landlords and do not screen their four children or several unrelated adults) may tenants, have a personal relationship with their be living in a single bedroom. Residents felt tenants, or bring on tenants with any thought that the number of people residing in as to that tenant’s potential positive or negative subdivided single family units may serve as a impact on the residential neighborhood where contributor to rising crime levels, particularly in the home is located. Residents also discussed terms of narcotics trafficking and arrests. By the possibility of throwing annual block parties limiting the number of inhabitants per and making a point of inviting tenants to foster bedroom, residents felt that some control may a sense of community and belonging; therefore be regained by the community in determining increasing the likelihood that renters will feel a the number of people allowed to cohabitate in sense of belonging and a stake in the one subdivided unit. The Borough Manager community. Homeowners feel establishing this empathized with the residents’ thoughts on the identity in renters will boost the morale of the downside to subdividing, but did advise the community and may curb transiency in some of attendees that such a measure would take the rental population as well. considerably more manpower than the Borough would have to enforce that standard.
Focus On Single Family Homes to Increase Likelihood of Positive Home Maintenance
Borough residents brainstormed to determine if there might be an incentive program that could
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION 2009-2019
Issuing parking permits to residents of subdivided units may alleviate the Borough’s Enforce Violation Fees and Balance with parking woes “Neighborly Kindness” The Borough would like to consider the Residents and attendees strongly emphasized possibility of issuing parking permits and has that they felt violation fees could be enforced in examined in the past the possibility of both overcrowded subdivided housing and as instituting such a program. However, the part of a parking permit program. The Borough Borough does not currently have additional Manager was on hand to discuss this possibility funding to hire more staff, and the current staff and noted to attendees that at the current is functioning at maximum capacity and could time, there is not a sufficient number of not have their tasks diverted or delayed to municipal staff to support such a program. serve as the administrators of such a program. Were there sufficient funds or staff, both the municipality and residents agreed that this may Borough Spends Too Much Energy Maintaining be a desirable path to explore in the future. Abandoned Property
Back Taxes Owed are an Impediment to New Both residents and Borough officials alike Owners Taking Over agreed that the cosmetic exterior upkeep of abandoned property was a drain on Tarentum’s As alluded to in this description, there are resources. The Borough Manager confirmed several properties for sale on which taxes are that township employees will mow property owed to the municipality and county. These that is overgrown, or are sometimes called properties are sometimes rundown, and the upon to cut down trees from abandoned back taxes owed provide further disincentive property. This removes township staff from for potential buyers to purchase the property. addressing more appropriate tasks and duties. Tarentum residents would like to explore the option of potential programs that could be Municipal Planning enacted to eliminate back taxes owed on certain properties so that they may be Possibly Outdated Zoning Laws purchased and renovated by new owners instead of remaining vacant, causing futher Residents felt that the application and decay to the home, the community, and a enforcement of current zoning codes, in further loss of revenue for the Borough. addition to the research of current codes to
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2009-2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION determine if there are any outdated codes that Encourage Proper Use of Parking Areas and could ideally be updated; would be of great Construct Proper Parking Spaces to Decrease benefit to the Borough. Curb Wear and Maintenance
Residential Area Should Be Integrated This suggestion came about due to the With/Easily Accessible to the Business District inefficient design of some of the spaces in the Borough’s central business district, in particular. One resident suggested that the business areas There are other areas in the Borough, such as and residential areas should become more Riverside Park, that residents also felt could integrated. Ideas included making available and benefit from parking spaces that aren’t parallel advertising loft apartments above downtown and against the curb. Urban Design Associates East 6th Avenue businesses. Residents presented some options for residents at a overwhelmingly expressed that they wanted to public meeting held on June 24, 2008. keep the business and residential sections separate. Public Facilities/Services
Parking Need Handicapped Accessibility for Post Office/Post Office is in a Poor Location Businesses Want More Parking, and Want Those Parking Spaces Balanced With Green Keeping in mind that a large portion of Space Tarentum’s population is comprised of elderly residents, many members of the community As mentioned in previous sections, the parking voiced their frustration with the current dynamic in the Borough is a complicated one. location of the Tarentum Post Office. The Post There are several well designed parking areas in Office is located on an incline on Corbet Street, the Borough’s central business district, but and lacks handicapped accessibility. Residents these spaces are not always plentiful enough to are hoping that the lack of handicapped accommodate patrons. This situation may be accessibility might possibly necessitate a move exacerbated by Tarentum’s position on the side of the Post Office from its current location to a of a river valley hill. Many elderly residents, more accessible location, such as West 7th who comprise a large portion of the Borough’s Avenue, in the future. population, find it difficult to travel distances of more than a block or two on the steep terrain. The lack of parking coupled with the likelihood of having to travel more than a few blocks on an incline make visiting some locations, such as the history museum, a difficulty for residents.
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION 2009-2019
Need To Keep Elementary School to Attract Recreation New Residents
Recreational Amenities Help to Fuel the Borough’s Economic Engine
Tarentum is home to one of four elementary schools in the Highlands School District, which encompasses Fawn Township, Harrison Township, Brackenridge and Tarentum. Residents were very much in favor of continuing Residents felt that in the midst of the declining to expand upon the recreational offerings population base, especially as it pertains to already in place in Tarentum. One of the younger people, it is of extreme importance biggest community events is Earth Day, which that Tarentum retain its Grandview Elementary brings businesses and residents together for a School. The residents of the Borough feel it is day of camaraderie, entertainment, and important to advertise this commodity as they community service. More than 75 volunteers attempt to reduce subdivision and promote the showed up to assist with cleaning the train affordability of its single family homes. tracks on Earth Day 2008, an event so impressive that a neighboring municipality also Competitive Rates for Tarentum cleaned waste from the train tracks running Power/Facilitate the Development of through their municipality the very next day. Tarentum’s Own Power Plant Tarentum’s most notable natural attraction, Riverside Park, boasts a beautiful walking trail Residents and business owners feel that by through mature trees and green space along maintaining competitive rates for Tarentum the Allegheny River. Power, the municipality is offering a competitive advantage for locating within the Roads Borough. There does appear to be some misunderstanding as to the potential for this It is Necessary to Aggressively Pursue Street utility arrangement, however; for as much as Paving, as Roads are Deteriorating residents favored competitive rates for Tarentum Power, they were not interested in The Borough Manager noted that more than the facilitation of the development of the $180,000 has been spent on street paving in the Borough’s own power plant. last 10 years. He also explained to residents that the cost of street paving has dramatically increased in the current economy, with the raw components of asphalt experiencing an
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2009-2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
citizen tasks and duties were outlined, and the exponential increase. He indicated to the recommendation process was explained. residents that the Borough is on a paving schedule, although that schedule is sometimes The planned presentation began with a brief subverted in the event of a water main break or review of events that transpired at the October the emergence of large potholes. In those 11, 2008 and March 5, 2008 meetings; as not all cases, material which would have otherwise attendees at each individual meeting attended been used to pave an overdue section of all three meetings, and for some meeting-goers roadway must go to patch a trouble spot. at the July 12 presentation, it was their first time taking part in a public information session. Need a New Road before Bakerstown Bridge The facets of the comprehensive plan were discussed, as well as work completed to this Some residents felt that new asphalt should be point by Third Sector Development. The public laid on the road just before the Bakerstown input process and contributions were detailed. Bridge. Attendees were evenly divided on the Attendees heard how ideas and suggestions had need for this item. been digested to this point, and were consolidated, labeled and used as advised directives.
Residents were shown a diagram that explained how each of the agencies currently involved in Tarentum’s quest for progress were responsible to the Borough and to each other; which agencies worked directly with one another, or were in some way called to cooperate on a particular aspect of the many projects taking place. It was explained that Third Sector was responsible for the entire comprehensive plan, which encompasses every area of every district in the Borough, minus the East Tarentum All of the items presented and categorized in commercial district project managed by the March 5, 2008 meeting were considered as Allegheny County. The Allegheny Together, or elements for the draft plan; researched and put ALLTogether program, was briefly discussed in in to place. The public was gathered for a final its role to reshape specifically the Main Street meeting held at the Tarentum Borough business district in the heart of East Tarentum. municipal building on July 12, 2008. In this Project borders were mentioned, to explain to meeting, residents expressed the desire to residents that the County project does not consolidate ideas into workable projects, and encompass any residential areas outside of this sought clarification of the roles and district, or the West 7th Avenue corridor. The responsibilities of the many organizations roles of Town Center Associates, Pittsburgh assisting in the redevelopment and History and Landmarks Foundation, and Urban revitalization of Tarentum. Anticipating the Design Associates were also discussed to needs of the residents; the project scope was answer residents’ questions and provide them reviewed, a clarification of the inter- with the opportunity to understand how all of relationships and delineation of relationships these entities were coming together to reshape was presented to attendees, the work timeline the community. Attendees expressed gratitude and completion of processes was reviewed, for the clarification, and said this dialogue clarified their understanding of who was
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION 2009-2019
currently working in the Borough, and to what Weaknesses identified included the end. disjointedness in the design of the Borough, with Route 366 and the Tarentum Bridge The results of the tally of the March 5th public bisecting the Borough and its business district; involvement session were revealed and the feeling that Tarentum is not a “destination” reviewed, and attendees commented on the despite several unique services and eateries; results. While there was some surprise that the possible safety hazards with consolidation, concept of recreation as a priority had fallen including no “curb cuts”; and the fact that the low on the list as a result of the public input municipality is basically “built-out”, and the gathered at the last meeting - there was no “the clientele determines the environment.” shock that Business and Housing were the two The latter comment was made by one resident categories that rose to the top of the list. All comparing the revitalization of Tarentum’s attendees were unanimous in their opinion that business district in Oakmont, PA; drawing these two areas of focus were paramount in the conclusions as to what the future may redevelopment and reshaping of the potentially hold for Tarentum. community and its image. Threats in the business district were identified Residents then took part in a SWOT analysis for as the possibility of failure for current and Tarentum’s Business and Residential districts. upstart businesses; difficulty in reaching new In the Business Districts, attendees found that clientele, and establishing and reinforcing the the Riverfront was a draw, that its location at habit of visiting Tarentum when adjacent the “Crossroads of the Allegheny” was an asset, community residents commute to run errands. and that the increasingly high cost of fuel was a motivator for areas residents and businesses to The most prominent residential strength was “stay local”. As for opportunities, attendees identified as the low cost of housing. Residents saw the intact train track system as opening the noted that a large, unsubdivided house could be door for the possibility of commuter trains; that sold whole to a young family at a reasonable keeping people local would allow for the cost in a safe, friendly neighborhood. Other possibility of entrepreneurs to invest in smaller housing strengths included small property plots businesses, like dry cleaning stores and that were easy to maintain by busy daycares; that the scheduled leveling and professionals, the elderly and disabled redevelopment of West 7th Avenue, with time individuals; a variety of neighborhoods available and patience, would allow for the construction with different character; neighborhoods with of a municipal complex to revitalize that distinctive, timeless appeal – not a corridor; that the riverfront development zone “McCommunity”; safe neighborhoods with nice is “useable” for the community; and also cited parks in walking distance or a short drive; as the existence of the Keystone Opportunity Zone well as a community farmer’s market and as an asset. summer concert series. Opportunities included the possibility of becoming a bedroom community with revitalized houses; restarting a neighborhood watch program; partnering with realtors to provide incentives or promotions to move to Tarentum, and a moderated parking program.
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2009-2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT – THE COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION
Weaknesses included the sale of too great a quantity of homes as rental properties without the encouragement of owner occupancy; no limit on the number of rental properties in the Borough; not knowing one’s neighbors due to the high number of rental properties and the transience of their inhabitants; the current housing market slump lending itself to rental; increased drug trafficking; absentee landlords; the school district; and the playground across the street from Grandview Elementary being in a state of disrepair.
Threats were stated by attendees to be the possibility that neighbors would not be motivated to repair their houses, even if other on the street chose to make repairs – that the “ripple effect” would be nonexistent; the difficulty in rehabilitating units from subdivided houses into whole homes again; the concerted, coordinated effort that would have to be undertaken to reach out to absentee landlords and motivate them to maintain their properties; and the possibility that the business community and the housing community may not “mesh well” in the revitalization phase due to an incompatibility in the demographic draw.
This data in this SWOT analysis was collected, compiled, considered, and subsequently assimilated into the Tarentum Comprehensive Plan, along with all other data collected at each of the three public meetings. The Borough is deeply grateful to all of the residents, business owners, and interested parties who took part in the 2009-2019 comprehensive planning process.
38 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
MISSION AND VISION – THE GUIDE AND THE GOAL 2009-2019
INTRODUCTION
Two of the most important functions of Establishing the vision first gives clearer public involvement in any comprehensive direction as to what will ultimately be planning process are to establish a mission achieved. This clarity of vision and vision for the plan. The mission serves establishes a more grounded thought to guide the work that the community does process and a more focused plan of in the present – the readily available human action for what should be contained in resources, physical resources, financial this mission. resources; and the manner in which all stakeholders (residents, business owners, A focused mission with a comprehensive government officials and others who visit, list of people and resources needed to work or play in the municipality) choose to fulfill the vision requires only one use these resources to reach the final goal – additional ingredient to be successful – identified in the vision. The vision is the the determination and action of those multi-faceted result participants will witness invested in the outcome to follow and experience as a result of all of their through with their efforts. collective efforts over time.
Many facilitators who engage the public in When properly compiled and mission/vision exercises frequently begin by constructed, a mission and vision establishing the mission, and then move on statement comprise a two-step plan for to the vision. In the session designed success, and easy reference for guidance. exclusively for Tarentum, the facilitator chose to begin first with the vision. There are a number of reasons why one may Residents, businesses and officials are choose to begin with the vision for any encouraged to refer back to the following municipality, but for Tarentum in particular, mission and vision statements whenever there were several factors to consider: any question arises as to whether or not a concept is right for the community. A In a distressed municipality (distress not development that benefits another being defined by any particular dollar community may be an awkward or amount, but merely a collective opinion inappropriate fit for the “fingerprint” of that there are serious deficits in one or Tarentum. Based on discussions from our more areas of the community’s standard public meetings, a good example of of living which have been in decline for a something that may work elsewhere but noted period of time) it is often difficult would not ideally fit Tarentum would be a to first establish a mission, because “big box” store. However, something of the assets are already perceived as low; and same genre as a big box store, such as a efforts, therefore, inversely high in drugstore, may serve the community well if proportion. The perception of the it reuses an existing building and has a daunting nature of the overall task may selection of items most beneficial for the inhibit investment and participation at community’s needs and financial success of the outset. the business.
Mission and vision are the compass and destination, respectively, of good planning.
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2009-2019 MISSION AND VISION – THE GUIDE AND THE GOAL
Vision
A self-sustaining economy in Tarentum that draws in new businesses, supports older established businesses, and is inviting to new prospective residents
How have elements of the vision been fulfilled to this point?
Draw In New Businesses o The Allegheny County ALLTogether Program together with Town Center Associates, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation and Urban Design Associates are working on redesigning the East Tarentum Main Street Business District with the intent of revitalizing the facades and attracting new businesses to the area.
Support Older Established Businesses o All businesses in the East Tarentum Business District fall under the guise of the plan to be created by Allegheny County’s ALLTogether program and their team members. Businesses in the West 7th Avenue Corridor will be part of a separate proposed neighborhood and commercial district.
Invite New Residents o This Comprehensive Plan contains a Housing section which provides suggestions for improving housing options in Tarentum.
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MISSION AND VISION – THE GUIDE AND THE GOAL 2009-2019
How have we collectively worked to fulfill, thus far, the Mission of the Tarentum Comprehensive Planning Process?
Residential, business, non-profit, civic and religious organizations provided input at public meetings on September 8, 2007, March 5, 2008, and July 12, 2008.
The following empirical data was gathered, shared with residents, and used in formulating the comprehensive plan: o Survey completed in 2006 that analyzed the strengths weaknesses, community attributes and detriments o Results of the of the dot exercise conducted at the second public input meeting in 2008 o RealStats data on Tarentum’s housing demographics o Examination of transportation and commuting patterns o Review of employment opportunities and statistics o Study of Third Ward redevelopment and internal SWOT analysis based on data collected from the Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)
The following historical studies were reviewed to determine past trends and future projections for Tarentum: o Most recent Tarentum Borough Comprehensive Plan, drafted in 1964 o Parking Study completed by Skelly and Loy in 1998 o Zoning Plan adopted by the Borough in April of 2007 o Recent Study conducted by CTAC
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2009-2019 MISSION AND VISION – THE GUIDE AND THE GOAL
NOTES
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42 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A PLAN FOR PARKS AND RECREATION 2009-2019
INTRODUCTION kids to swing, slide and climb on. Older kids can enjoy the new James E. Wolfe Skate Park, and play softball, baseball and t-ball games at Dreshar Stadium.
Tarentum has one main park which provides plentiful opportunities for recreation. Historic Riverview Memorial Park is part of the legacy of the boom all western Pennsylvania Throughout the year, adults and seniors also communities experienced at the end of World make use of the miles of bricked sidewalks War I. The move to purchase the riverfront winding through the park, and visit the property was a progressive step. Decades later, memorials marking the names of those who it remains the only natural waterfront park of have served our country and honor their its size in all of Allegheny County. For years, contributions. residents have gathered in this area to play on the cannons overlooking the river, take wedding pictures and listen to concerts.
Much of the social culture of Tarentum is centered in the park during the warm summer months. Summer recreation programs are Over the years, the Borough has expressed a plentiful and designed to attract all ages. A desire to make this park relevant to all age summer concert series is held each year; groups. As a result, a “Snoopy” wading pool making perfect use of the stage, covered was installed for toddlers to splash in during the pavilion, and permanent seating. On weekdays, summer months; and a state-of-the-art Allegheny County provides free summer playground was designed with a soft surface lunches to children at Riverview Park, and and a wide variety of the latest equipment for Tarentum resident Becky May spends that lunch TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 43
2009-2019 A PLAN FOR PARKS AND RECREATION hour with the children completing craft which would allow vehicles immediate access to projects. the playground area remains locked.
To remedy this situation in part, the Borough is in contact with several soft playground surface providers to upgrade the area – protecting children from scrapes, bruises, and perhaps even broken bones by padding their landing in the event of a fall. The Penn State Cooperative Extension has also offered to provide Penn State Grass, a hearty mixture which can withstand rigorous activity, should the Borough choose that option. In this manner, the Grandview Elementary School playground will begin its transformation to the modern park facility at Riverview featured below. The Borough also maintains the playground at Grandview Elementary. The playground is currently in a state of disrepair, and holds many potential hazards for children. The majority of these hazards stem from the rough asphalt and pebble surface in the child and toddler areas. Children falling off of swings and slides run the risk of sustaining scrapes, bruises and broken bones. Toddlers playing in the area designated for their use are frequently grabbing pebbles and attempting to eat them and throw them at other children.
The Borough also replaces the basketball hoop nets at the basketball court on West 6th Avenue, but does not provide any other services to the court.
PARKS AND RECREATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The Borough is seeking to replace the bricks in the sidewalks throughout Riverview Park with Metal hurricane fencing around the area limits concrete. The bricks are being unearthed by accessibility to one entrance point at the top of growing tree roots and posing a hazard to the basketball court opposite Grandview walkers. As it is the goal of the Borough to Elementary’s entrance, posing the obstacle of a make all recreational activities safe for its delayed response time should a vehicle need to residents, Tarentum find it necessary to replace access the playground in an emergency. A gate 44 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A PLAN FOR PARKS AND RECREATION 2009-2019 the visually attractive brick surface with a more functional and safe concrete surface.
Dreshar Stadium will see several improvements as early as 2009. The stadium serves as one of two playing fields for Highlands Little League, a The Borough plans to add more concrete space staple of the community since 1952. It will to the Snoopy pool area so that more parents have new batting cages installed between the may be comfortably accommodated while major and minor fields. The Borough also supervising their wading toddlers. hopes to be receiving further funds from grants to construct a new playground and picnic area.
The Borough maintains that vandalism occasionally occurs at the James E Wolfe Skate Park. To curb vandalism activities, the Borough has been closing the skate park when incidents occur. The Borough emphasizes that most park patrons have been correctly using the facilities. Closing the park for brief intervals to repair The Borough is seeking a safer surface and damage has helped to curb incidences of easier access for emergency vehicles at the vandalism, graffiti, and littering on the Grandview Playground. premises. If increased vandalism continues to be a problem at the Skate Park, video monitoring, perhaps funded through grants, may be a consideration.
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2009-2019 A PLAN FOR PARKS AND RECREATION
Summer Concert series selections may be Many residents would appreciate the expanded to include more generationally opportunity to purchase fresh produce grown appealing bands; representing the preferences by local farmers, but may not actually work in of young children, teens, young adults, mid- the Borough and be able to shop at that time. aged adults, baby boomers and senior citizens. An alternate farmer’s market would serve as a wonderful draw to the park on a summer The Borough should consider locating a evening. Farmer’s Market to the Riverview Park Area after business hours. The Farmer’s Market It is recommended that the Borough continue sponsored by the Tarentum Business Area with the minimal cost practice of replacing Advisory Committee is currently operating from hoops at the West Tarentum basketball park. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Train Station Restaurant with the purpose of drawing crowds to the business area.
46 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT 2009-2019
INTRODUCTION to serving as a portion of the trail system and acting as a green buffer to the contiguous One of the primary offerings of the Borough in industrial area. terms of parks and recreation is its riverfront along the Allegheny River. The Tarentum The primary impending impact on the riverfront spans a distance of 1.24 miles and is Borough’s riverfront is the County’s passage of divided into two sections by the Bull Creek legislation that will lead to the creation of a tributary. The longer section, 0.83 miles, is 128-mile long park along the Allegheny, owned by the Borough, lies to the east of the Monongahela, Ohio and Youghiogheny rivers. creek and is primarily recreational in terms of When completed, the park will become the zoning and actual use. The smaller section to County’s tenth regional park and will touch the west is .41 miles in length and is zoned more than half of Allegheny County’s 130 industrial. This section falls under the control of municipalities. The new riverfront park will also two property owners. The publicly owned hold the distinction as the world’s longest urban portion of the Borough’s riverfront currently linear park. The Allegheny River portion of the offers a variety of recreational activities riverfront park will also function as a portion of including boat docks and fishing areas. the proposed Allegheny Valley Trail, which would run from the City of Pittsburgh to Harrison Township within Allegheny County and ultimately extend to Lake Erie. Ordinance #38- 06, which authorizes “the Law Department, in conjunction with the Allegheny County Parks Department, to obtain appraisals and title reports, to negotiate and acquire the required property rights in fee simple absolute, and to prepare the necessary petitions, resolutions and all other documents, as required, for the County to obtain legal title to riverfront property in a band no less than 50 feet and, where appropriate, including hillsides, on at least one bank of the Monongahela, Youghiogheny, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers for their entire length within Allegheny County, for the purpose of creating a countywide riverfront park.”
Allegheny County has engaged a consultant to prepare a master plan for the trail from Millvale Borough to Harrison Township. This plan will consider the highest and best use for various sections of the riverfront. Currently, these uses range from the Pittsburgh Rowing Association in Millvale to boating, fishing, and picnic areas elsewhere. Since the master plan will consider A large section of the privately owned portion the appropriate uses for the riverfront, we are of the riverfront is located within the floodplain using the Borough’s Comprehensive Plan to and is the site of one of the Borough’s larger consider methods of financing those uses. industrial employers. The property’s economic value and location in the floodplain limit its use
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2009-2019 RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
The Allegheny County Parks Department has established four primary goals as part of its operating mission.
Recreation
Natural and Cultural Resources
County-wide Open Space
Management and Financing
The goal of Management and Financing covers “a number of complex issues associated with managing, operating, and funding the parks system, including organizational structure; staffing; maintenance; public and private sector partners and volunteers; public outreach and communications; safety and security; and financing. The goal also covers County consideration of utilizing user fees to recover the cost of operating and maintaining its facilities. Special consideration should be given to the use of fees because they may impact the use of facilities which often serve as default recreation facilities for low-income people.
STRATEGY
An alternative to the use of taxes or user fees is the creation of a Riverfront Recreational Assessment District that will utilize an assessment of increased revenues to businesses that benefit from riverfront recreation, allowing each municipality to adopt legislation allowing for a 1% assessment from businesses that One of the best known businesses in Tarentum locate in the District. The host municipality is Gatto Cycles, which sells both road and dirt would keep 0.5% of the assessment and the bikes in addition to motorcycles. Gatto Cycles remainder would be transmitted to Allegheny could offer bike rentals through a small County to help defray costs in other riverfront kiosk facility. Other beneficiaries of municipalities which choose not to adopt the this type of district may be skateboard repairs, assessment or where the topography and/or bait shops, other recreational equipment access make retail facilities impractical. providers, and food and beverage operations. The riverfront park can help create a new market for
48 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT 2009-2019
tax revenue. A recreation improvement and maintenance district levies taxes on property owners within the Lake Elsinore School District boundaries in California to pay for upkeep of and improvements to its fields, courts and other recreational facilities accessible to the public.
In terms of the Allegheny County riverfront park system, the suggestion is made to allow local municipalities to assess the sales of businesses located in a special assessment area contiguous to the riverfront park. The assessment area should be contained by some existing boundary recreation related businesses and, in turn, the such as the street nearest to the riverfront. The increased sales revenue will provide money for assessment will be optional for municipalities the maintenance of the park. Consideration and will be in the amount of 1% of sales. The should be given to limiting opportunities to municipality will retain 0.5% for its own use, businesses already located in the municipality and the other 0.5% will be remitted to the and all uses must be consistent with the County for use throughout the entire park appropriate local ordinances. system including those municipalities where the terrain and riverfront uses do not allow ancillary The idea of special assessment districts is not retail operations. new and in Pennsylvania existing legislation permits Business Improvement Districts, TARENTUM RIVERFRONT CONNECTOR Neighborhood Improvement Districts, and the assessment of industrial properties within the The other project that may be considered is a boundaries of industrial parks for the purpose pedestrian/bike bridge that would connect the of infrastructure development and sections of the riverfront on both sides of Bull maintenance. There are also other examples of Creek. similar districts elsewhere in the country. In San Diego, Maintenance Assessment Districts While we offer this as a possible riverfront allow property owners to create special project, routing the trail away from the assessment districts to tax themselves to riverfront to Sixth Avenue will detour users provide services beyond what the local through the Borough’s commercial area. government can provide based on the normal
TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 49
2009-2019 RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
NOTES
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50 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS 2009-2019
INTRODUCTION Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) Section 301 (a) states that a The preparation of an effective housing strategy Comprehensive Plan should, among other must first begin with research into the past and objectives, "meet housing needs of present existing residential real estate sector in the residents and those families anticipated to live form of a detailed housing market analysis. in the municipality as well as the Usually, a market analysis is performed by a accommodation of new housing in different potential developer to determine the need for a dwelling types and at appropriate densities for particular type of residential building product as households of all income levels." An accurate well as the number, size and amenities and assessment of the housing market supply is a price range. The analysis also needs to support critical component to Tarentum Borough's the developer’s plans when he approaches Comprehensive Plan. financial backers and institutions for funding to carry out his plan. Housing can be a significant indicator of growth or decline in an area. The local housing supply The preparation of a housing market analysis in can reflect development trends and housing conjunction with a comprehensive plan must conditions often mirror the local quality of life. consist of a much broader scope in that the Demographic trends and housing demand have subject municipality is trying to determine been utilized as this basis for this housing which types of housing it needs to retain and strategy. attract new residents as well as which types of residential building types it needs to support While there is no prescribed time period for a through targeted incentives and those which comprehensive plan, either in terms of defining may need to be discouraged because of a past trends or future projections, we have made negative impact on the municipal and/or school some deliberate decisions in both situations. As district budget. the date of the last comprehensive plan prepared for the municipality was 1964, we A housing market analysis for Tarentum chose to start with the first decennial census Borough should include, but not be limited to, prior to that time (1960) and to continue answering the following questions: forward to the last decennial census of 2000. Because 1960 data was not available for all What has been the historic role of the benchmark communities, the most recent ten municipality in providing housing for its year change was used with specific attention to residents and the local area? 40 year change in Tarentum. This information will provide a database that can be easily What is the current supply and demand of updated once information is available from the owner housing in Tarentum? 2010 census.
What is the current supply and demand of MARKET AREA rental housing in Tarentum? Tarentum Borough is situated along the What current trends will affect the shape of the Allegheny River in the northeast portion of future housing market? Allegheny County, directly across the River from New Kensington and Arnold in Westmoreland What policies need to be implemented to County. It is approximately five miles from achieve the desired mix of housing? Allegheny County’s border with Armstrong and Butler Counties. In addition to Allegheny and
TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 51 2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Westmoreland Counties, the Pittsburgh MSA information at an early public meeting also also consists of Beaver and Washington instead brought concurrence on the selection of the of Armstrong and Butler. However, it is our comparison areas from those in attendance. belief that statistics for the MSA will not be as reflective of the local housing market as the The market area therefore includes the selected benchmark area because of the following counties and municipalities: distance of Beaver and Washington. Allegheny County In order to ensure the accuracy of our data, the analysis must begin with the delineation of the Brackenridge Borough housing market itself. It is important to choose East Deer Township a market area that includes those nearby areas Fawn Township that are likely to be considered when housing is Frazer Township being purchased for the first time or when Harrison Township circumstances require a change in residence; Oakmont Borough for example, a change in employment or Springdale Borough additional family members. A functional Tarentum Borough housing market may overlap local government West Leechburg Borough boundaries, or several different housing markets may be contained within a single local Armstrong County authority area. Housing markets may also overlap. In the literature on housing market Freeport Borough areas, different approaches can be found in Leechburg Borough defining them, for example, using travel-to- South Buffalo Township work areas and, more recently, making use of migration data. The most recent census Butler County indicates that the median travel time to work in the area is 22 minutes. Using average vehicle Buffalo Township speeds ranging from 30 to 40 miles an hour, we Saxonburg Borough would have an estimated travel distance ranging from eleven to fifteen miles. In Westmoreland County addition, Census information on places of work indicates that 1,134, or 50.3%, of the total of Allegheny Township 2,251 employed Borough residents work within Arnold City the municipalities included in the target market New Kensington City area. This distance, in conjunction with other Lower Burrell City factors, led us to select nineteen municipalities Upper Burrell Borough from Allegheny and the three surrounding Vandergrift Borough counties. A presentation of some draft
52 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS 2009-2019
LOCATION OF COMPARISON COMMUNITIES MAP
HOUSING DEMAND The US population stood at 179,323,175 in 1960 and rose to 281,421,906 in the year 2000, a The demographics of the demand side are being 56.94 % increase. The national increase analyzed from both a macro- as well as a micro averaged 14.25 % over the four decennial perspective. The macro perspective includes censuses, with an actual increase of 13.12 % in the national and state levels as well as the last ten years. Allegheny and the three nearby counties of Armstrong, Butler, and Westmoreland. The City The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania population of Pittsburgh is also included at this level to was 11,319,366 in 1960 and increased to compare these trends on our region’s largest 12,281,054 in 2000. These figures, while not City as well as at the micro level for quick comparable to the national increase show comparison with the municipalities in our target Pennsylvania did reflect positive population area. This is consistent with David Rusk’s notion growth of 8.5 % in the 1960-2000 period and that as a region’s central city goes, so goes the 3.36 % in the 1990-2000 period. region. In terms of the four target market comparison MACRO counties, both Allegheny and Armstrong Counties lost population over the 1960-2000 period at rates of 21.3 % and 8.97 % respectively. At the same time, Butler and Westmoreland Counties experienced increases of 51.85 % and 4.92 %. However, during the
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1990-2000 period only Butler County showed Westmoreland showing only a minimal 0.09% an increase in population at 14.52 % with decrease.
POPULATION CHANGES – 1960 to 2000 TABLE 1
The City of Pittsburgh experienced the highest Pittsburgh actually accounted for 64.47 % of the rate of decline both over the forty year period total population decrease in Allegheny County from 1960 and in the most recent decade for with the City’s share of the County’s population the macro comparison areas. The City lost decreasing from 27.68% to 26.10 % at a rate of 44.4% of its population between 1960 and decrease more than double the County rate. 2000, and 9.55% from 1990 to 2000. The City of
1990 2000 90/00% Allegheny County 1,336,449 1,281,666 54,783 City of Pittsburgh 369,879 334,563 35,316 -27.68% -26.10% 64.47% PITTSBURGH/ALLEGHENY POULATION CHANGE TABLE 2
MICRO
While the largest municipality in the region lost East Deer showed the largest percentage 44.64% of its population from 1960 to 2000, the decrease in population from 1960 at 52.46%, nineteen municipalities in the market area and Saxonburg Borough had the largest experienced a median decrease of 24.66% over percentage increase over the same time at the forty year study period and a 5.08% 85.96%. The changes over the last ten year decrease between 1990 and 2000. Only four period for the municipalities were -12.58% and municipalities experienced population increases +21.12% respectively. between 1960 and 2000 and between 1990 and 2000. Among the comparison municipalities,
54 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
POPULATION CHANGE EXTREMES TABLE 3
Tarentum lost 39.35% of its population over the 2000, and only 0.72% from 1990 to 2000. While forty year period, placing it above the market Tarentum began the forty period with a area average. In the last ten years, it showed a population of 8,232 and Oakmont at 7,504, decrease of -12% compared to the study area their populations at the end of the period were median of -5.08%. For comparison, Oakmont 4,993 and 6,911 respectively. lost only 7.9% of its population from 1960 to
CHANGE IN POPULATION TABLE 4
AGE but in 2000, the highest median age was 41.3 years in Westmoreland County. The only other Beyond simple changes in the population, there area to have a median age above 40 years in are other factors that must be considered in a 2000 was Armstrong County at 40.4. The largest housing analysis. One of these is the aging of percentage increase in the median age of the the population, represented by both the population over the forty year period is 30.7% median age of the population as well as the in Westmoreland County. The largest aging of certain age cohorts. percentage increase in the last ten years is a virtual tie between Butler and Armstrong MACRO Counties at 10.59% and 10.38% respectively. The City of Pittsburgh showed the smallest increase in the median age of the population with a 4.72% increase from 1960 to 2000 and an increase of only 2.9% from 1990 to 2000. In the year 2000, the median age in the US and the In terms of median age, the nation as a whole City of Pittsburgh were approximately equal at had the youngest population figure with a 35.3 and 35.5 years. median age of 29.5 years in 1960 and a median age of 35.3 in 2000. The City of Pittsburgh had the highest median age in 1960 at 33.9 years,
2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
MEDIAN AGE TABLE 5
In terms of age cohorts, the largest age group across all of the macro benchmarks is the 18 to The City of Pittsburgh saw a decline in both the 64 year old group. The second largest group in youngest and the oldest age groups, but the US and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania experienced growth in both the 5 to 17 and the is the 5 to 17 year old group. However, the 65+ 18 to 64 groups. year old group was the second largest group in the other comparison areas except for MICRO Westmoreland County which was consistent with the national and state figures.
The largest increase in the age cohorts at the In the micro view, the median age of residents national and state levels was in the 5 to 17 year in Tarentum in 2000 was 37.9 years, making it old age group, while the largest decrease was in just .01 % less than the Pennsylvania figure of the less than 5 years old group. In the 18 to 64 38 years and was only a two year increase over year old group, the US increased less than 1 % the Borough’s 1990 median age figure of 35.9 while the State decreased to the same degree. years. The median age in Tarentum was less In the 65 year and older group the Pennsylvania than all comparison communities, except for figure increased by 1.3 5 while the US the City of Pittsburgh. By comparison, the decreased by 1.6 %. All of the counties also saw Borough of Oakmont had a median age of 44.7 a decrease in the size of the less than 5 year old years which was second only to Saxonburg in group and a decrease in the size of the 65 year 2000, with an increase over the ten year period old and older group. All of the counties except that was also second only to Saxonburg. Armstrong also saw growth in the 5 to 17 year group and a decrease in the 18 to 64 group.
MEDIAN AGE TABLE 6
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Further delineation of the population into age year and older group represent both a lower cohorts provides a better look at the dynamics level of service needs which is also usually that accompany the median age. Rather than accompanied by a lower revenue of taxes due the usual breakdown of cohorts into years, four to exempt sources of income. distinct cohorts were used in this planning effort. The 0 to 5 year cohort represents In terms of age cohorts, the Borough of youngest children at a preschool age. The 5 to Tarentum had higher percentages of residents 17 year cohort represents school age youth who in the less than 5 year old group and the 18 to should be in the education system and require 64 group than the median figures for the recreational services. The 18 to 64 year old age benchmark municipalities and Oakmont. Its group represents homeowners or renters who percentage of residents in the 65 year old and are the primary source of income for their older group was 26.9 % less than the families and for Borough tax revenues. The 65 benchmark median.
AGE COHORTS TABLE 7
While the Borough of Oakmont also had the 18 almost 40% less than the benchmark median of to 64 group as its largest age group, its 65 year 22.1%. For comparison, the median values of and older group was the only group larger than the benchmarks were consistent with the the same cohort for Tarentum or the Index figures for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny municipalities. In fact, this age group was 61% County. larger in Oakmont than it was in Tarentum. The fastest growing group over the period from In 2000, Tarentum’s percentage of population 1960 to 2000 is the 65 years or older group, but in the less than five years of age group was even this group contracted in the most recent 5.7%, only slightly higher than the benchmark ten year period. The 18 to 64 group was the median of 5.5%. The children in this group are only other cohort to grow, both in the 40 and of the preschool age, but will be entering the ten year periods. Both the under five and the 5 educational system. Tarentum ranked only to 17 year groups decreased over both periods, slightly less than the 16.4% median for the 5 to although the rates decreased in both cases to 17 year old group at 16.3%. The fastest growing rates of 5% or less. Tarentum experienced the age cohort in Tarentum is the 18 to 64 age highest rate of decline of all comparison group which includes 62.2% of the population. locations in the 65+ senior cohort with an This figure is lower than South Buffalo’s high 18.97% decline from 1990 to 2000. The figure of 64.1%, but higher than the median of changes in the size of the cohorts show growth 57.9%. While Tarentum’s 15.8% of population in in the 18 to 64 year old group with a concurrent the 65 years or older group ranked it fifth decrease in the younger cohorts. The change in lowest among the other municipalities, it was the size of the senior cohort showed a
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2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
substantial decrease of 18.97% although it In terms of household makeup in 2000, the experienced a larger increase during the earlier national and state figures were consistent part of the 40 year period. While the changes across the household types except in terms of would indicate a decrease in the school age single senior households where the US figure population, the increase in the young adult and was 23.4 % and the State figure was 11.6 %. middle age groups bodes well for increasing Allegheny County was the only County to fall housing demand. The decline in the senior below the national and state figures in terms of population needs to be examined further to family households and couple households, but determine if it is a short term trend or is based was higher than the US and Pennsylvania as upon a lack of appropriate residential facilities well as the other Commonwealth counties in for this cohort. terms of female headed households.
HOUSEHOLD CHANGES The City of Pittsburgh was also lower than the national and state figures for family and couple Changes in both the size and types of individual households, but was higher for female headed households are other factors of importance for households. In terms of single senior analyzing the housing market. households it fell between the national and state figures. MACRO MICRO
The national figure for median size of The median size of households in the households fell 1.52 % from 2.63 persons in comparison communities was 2.35 persons in 1990 to 2.59 persons in 2000. At the state level, 1990 and decreased 2.98 % to 2.28 persons in the decrease was more than double from 2.57 2000. The household size in Tarentum was persons to 2.48 persons. Among the extremely close to the Index at 2.34 persons in comparison counties, Westmoreland had the 1990 and 2.28 persons in 2000. While no largest decrease at 4.74 % from 2.53 persons to municipality saw an increase in the size of its 2.41 persons. Butler County had the largest size households, Brackenridge remained constant at households in 1990 and 2000 at 2.65 and 2.55 2.28 persons over the ten year period, while persons respectively, while Allegheny County Saxonburg had the largest decrease in the size had the smallest households at 2.41 and 2.31 of its households at 9.36 %. Oakmont had persons at the County level for the same time smaller households at both comparison times periods. Pittsburgh had smaller household sizes compared to the Index and Tarentum and had at both times as compared to the nineteen one of the larger percentage decreases at municipality benchmark. 5.02%.
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MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD SIZE TABLE 8
In the comparison of the local benchmark national figure of 23.4 %, but higher than the communities, the number of family, couple and state figure of 11.6 %. Tarentum was lower than female headed households was lower than both the Index in its percentage of family, couple and the national and state figures. The figure for senior households, but higher on terms of single senior households was lower than the female headed households.
HOUSEHOLD TYPES TABLE 9
Oakmont Borough had the lowest percentage of periods followed by Armstrong and family households at 54.8 % compared to the Westmoreland Counties. municipal benchmark and was second only to the 51.6 % figure for the City of Pittsburgh. Tarentum Borough fell below the median Oakmont also was lower than the benchmark household income benchmark figures for both for both couple and female headed households, 1990 and 2000 and was second only to the City but had a higher percentage of single senior of Arnold for the same time periods. Tarentum headed households. did fall just below the median figure in terms of an increase in the income level at 34.93 %. Last, but certainly not least, is the ability of the population to afford housing as evidenced by FUTURE DEMAND changes in income. Household income has been selected as the variable in this case as it In terms of future population projections, there also allows an easy comparison with HUD are a number of scenarios provided by local income figures. sources. The first is the 2025 Trend Scenario developed as part of the Allegheny Places The state of Pennsylvania fell below the planning effort. The plan projects that over the national median household income figures in next 20 years only a modest increase in the both 1990 and 2000. The national figure number of residents is expected. The County’s increased at 39.7 %, while the State lagged population is projected to be 1.3 million in the behind slightly at a rate of 37.97 %. No County year 2025, a 4% increase over the 2000 had a higher median household income than population. If development trends of the last the national figure in 1990, but Butler County ten years continued over the next twenty, had a higher figure in 2000. Allegheny County Allegheny County would see construction of had the second highest figures in both time 50,000 new residences. This corresponds to a
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2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
medium rate of growth, or 2,500 new UNITS residences per year. MACRO In the 2035 Transportation and Development Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania prepared by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the overall regional population growth is projected to be nearly 470,000 by 2035, which is well under 1% per year. While each county’s As might be expected, a growing population population is projected to grow in this period, results in an increasing demand for housing. with a projected decline in household size and At the national level, the number of housing growth in population the number of households units increased from 58,326,357 in 1960 to in the region is projected to grow faster than 115,904,641, a 98.7% increase. The population. Over 400,000 new households are Commonwealth of Pennsylvania also showed an projected by 2035. increase during the same period, but at a lower rate of 46.56%. Increases in the number of Based upon existing trends, this Housing residential units were also seen at the county Strategy is based on the assumption that, for at level, with the smallest percentage increases in least the short term, the primary trend will be a Allegheny County at 16.02% and Armstrong continuation of the current trends in population County with 25.28%. Westmoreland County decline, although with a decrease in the rate of exceeded the expansion rate in Pennsylvania decline. The second trend is that the median with an increase of 48.26%. Butler County saw household size will continue to decline due to an increase that was only 1% lower than the the decline of two parent households as well as national rate at 98.13%. However, the City of the increase in single person elderly Pittsburgh experienced a significant decrease in households. While both of these trends will the number of units from 196,168 in 1960 to result in a decrease in the demand for housing, 163,366 in 2000, a 16.72% decrease. an increase in the number of households will result in an increase in demand. A successful While the macro view was consistent except for housing strategy will need to balance these Pittsburgh, there is evidence that the increase trends to create the appropriate mix of in the other comparison areas is slowing and residential units in terms of size and price to may be poised for a change. Butler County meet the projected demand by the future continued to experience growth in the number Borough residents. of new housing units with an 18.3% increase in the 1990 to 2000 period, which was greater HOUSING SUPPLY than the national increase of 13.34%. All other areas showed single digit increases with the In order to provide a comprehensive view of the Commonwealth at 6.31%, and Westmoreland housing market, the analysis of the housing and Butler Counties at 4.89% and 1.98% supply must go beyond a simple accounting of respectively. Allegheny County showed only a the number of units available, but must also minor increase in the percentage of new units include types of units, number of bedrooms, of only a 0.50% in the last ten years of the study etc. that reflect the needs and tastes of the period. The City of Pittsburgh saw an actual homeowner or renter. decrease of 3.99% in the most recent decade, but the figure is consistent with the average decrease over the forty year period, indicating
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that the decrease is at least not increasing if it is The City of Pittsburgh saw a decrease in the not ready to change. percentage of owner occupied units from 46.81% in 1990 to 45.86% in 2000. At the same Beyond the increase in the number of housing time the percentage of renter occupied units units, there was also some change in the mix of also decreased from 49.2% to 42.12%. The owner and renter occupied housing units. The percentage of vacant units tripled from 3.99% percentage of owner occupied units was to 12.01%. 56.23% at the national level in 1960 and increased to 60.24% in 2000. At the same time MICRO the percentage of renter occupied units decreased from 34.68% to 30.77% during the same time period. The percentage of vacant units tripled from 1960 to 1990 and even Unlike the increases experienced at the though the number increased 1990 to 2000, the national, state and county levels, the majority percentage decreased because of the larger of the target market experienced decreases in increase in new units. Pennsylvania saw a the number of units both over the 40 and ten negligible increase in the percentage of owner year comparison periods. Since 1990, East Deer occupied from 63.91% in 1960 to 64.89% in Township had the largest percentage decrease 2000. The percentage decrease in renter in the number of residential units at 7.08 % occupied units was closer to the magnitude of while Saxonburg Borough had the largest decrease at the national level going from increase at 22.93 %. The median change among 29.63% to 26.11%. The percentage of vacant the benchmark communities was an increase of units doubled from 4.35% in 1960 to 8.95% in 0.96 % over the 40 year period and a decrease 1990. The increase slowed to a percentage of of 1.21 % during the last ten years, resulting in 9.01% in 2000. an increase in the total number of units in all
nineteen target communities over the 1990 to The four county study area showed a similar 2000 period of only 693 units, or 1.68%. pattern of increase in the percentage of owner Tarentum Borough saw the number of its occupied units and decrease in renter occupied housing units decrease 3.51 % from 2,649 to units. The 2000 percentage of owner occupied 2,556 over the last ten tear census period with units ranged from a low of 61.69% in Allegheny an 11.22 % decrease between 1960 and 2000. County to a high of 73.40% in Butler County. As For comparison, Oakmont Borough saw a 40.12 would be inferred, the percentage of renter % increase in its residential units between 1960 occupied units was highest in Allegheny County, and 2000, with an increase of only 2.9 % over but Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland the latest ten year period. Building permit Counties had a virtually identical percentage of information indicates that from 1990 through renter occupied units in 2000 at 20.37%, 2007, 3,052 new residential units were added in 20.86% and 20.47% respectively. While the entire target area with 2,529 or 82.86 % Westmoreland County started the study period being single family units and 523 or 17.14 % with the highest percentage of vacant units at being multifamily units. Over the same time 4.15% in 1990, Armstrong ended the period in period, Tarentum added a total of only 17 new that position at 10.44%. Butler County actually residential units while Oakmont added 184. saw the largest rate of increase in vacant units These figures do not include the Tarentum at nearly 3,500%. Senior Housing Phase II that developed 72 units
of better-quality affordable housing while
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demolishing one high-rise that resulted in the structures ranked third at 10.64 %. The greatest elimination of a number efficiency apartments percentage increase from 1990 to 2000 was and others that lacked modern amenities. 70.29 % in duplex structures, with structures of 50 or more units accounting for the second In terms of housing types, single family largest percentage increase at 46.13 %. The detached structures were the predominant type largest decreases were 89.78 % in units in 20 to in Tarentum in both 1990 and 2000 at 59.21 % 49 unit structures and 57.87 % in single unit and 54.07 % respectively. In 2000, duplexes attached structures. ranked second at 18.51 and three or four unit
CHANGE IN RESIDENTIAL UNIT TYPE TABLE 10
In terms of tenure, Tarentum had the lowest rate of 1.15 %. Oakmont had a higher owner owner occupancy rate of 48.08 %, which was occupancy rate, but also had a higher renter greater than the municipal median index of occupancy rate due to its low vacancy rate at 64.66 %. Within the target area, Buffalo 3.09 %. For comparison, the City of Pittsburgh Township had the highest owner occupancy had an owner occupancy rate of only 45.86 % rate at 88.13 % and also had the lowest vacancy and a vacancy rate of 12.01 %.
TENURE COMPARISON TABLE 11
The percentage of owner occupied units in 1960 to 11.54 % in 2000, an increase of 293.33 Tarentum decreased both from 1960 to 2000 % over the 40 year period. An increase in the and from 1990 to 2000 at rates of 18.61 % and percentage of renter occupied residential units 3.91 % respectively. The percentage of renter is usually considered a negative attribute of a occupied units also decreased over the same housing market, although in certain time periods at rates of 24.9 % and 14.92 %. circumstances it can be representative of The difference is accounted for by an increase special housing needs such as that for student in the percentage of vacant units from 2.61 % in housing near a college.
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PERCENT OF OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE OWNER-OCCUPIED MAP 2
In Map 2, the vacancy rate for all units is shown percentage of owner-occupied housing is with the First Ward having the largest located in the upper areas of the Second and percentage of vacant units for this category. Third Wards. The areas closest to the river have The lower portions of the Second and Third the lowest owner occupancy rates while the Ward also have high percentages of overall area at the nexus of the First and Second Wards vacancy in excess of 10%. contains the middle level of owner-occupied units. While residents would be aware of this pattern through their day to day experience, the highest
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PERCENT OF OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE RENTER-OCCUPIED 2000 MAP 3
The census blocks with the largest percentage vacant units as to whether they are available for of rental vacancy rates are concentrated in the sale or for rent. In Tarentum, the percent of First Ward area between East 6th and 3rd vacant units available for rent was 56.7 %, Avenues. While there are other areas in the which was higher than the percentage in Second Ward with high rental vacancy rates, Oakmont and nearly twice the Index figure. The this does not necessarily indicate that there are percentage of its vacant units for sale was 14.5 a large number of rentals in these areas or that %, which was lower than the figures for both the overall vacancy rates in these areas are the benchmark index and Oakmont. large. Brackenridge had the highest percentage of vacant units for rent at 62.6 % and West A further analysis of the tenure information can Leechburg had the highest percentage of units be made relative to the breakdown of the for sale at 48.4 %.
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VACANCY COMPARISON TABLE 12
While the vacancy level for owner occupied units indicates a strong market for these units, the rental market is much weaker. The higher vacancy rates also coincide with the older areas of the Borough, making the units less desirable to potential renters.
VACANT HOUSING UNITS BY BLOCK GROUP MAP 4
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RENTAL VACANCY RATES 2000 MAP 5
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In a more detailed look at rental vacancies by census blocks, Block Groups 3, 4, and 5 account for 85.5% of the total residential vacancies in the Borough. The 124 vacant units within these seven Blocks account for nearly 1/3 of all vacancies.
VACANT UNITS AT BLOCK AND BLOCK GROUP LEVEL TABLE 13
Number of Bedrooms City of Pittsburgh, where one bedroom units were predominant. MACRO Two bedroom units were the most common configuration in vacant residential units. Three bedroom units had the second highest vacancy rate in all areas except Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, where one bedroom According to the 2000 Census, a three bedroom units had the second highest vacancy rate. As residential unit was the most common might be expected, in owner occupied units, the configuration for owner occupied units at the lowest percentage of units were studios and national, state, local county, and in the City of one bedroom units. Conversely, rentals in five Pittsburgh. Two bedroom units were the and four bedroom configurations were the least second most common except in Pennsylvania common units. Vacant unit configurations had and Butler County where four bedroom units the lowest percentage of five bedroom, studio, were second in number. In renter occupied and four bedroom units in that order. units, two bedroom units were the preferred choice in all macro comparison areas except the
MICRO one bedroom units most common in rentals. In terms of vacant units, three bedroom units were the most common at 42.1%, with one bedroom and four bedroom units in a virtual tie
for second at 23.9% and 23.6% respectively. It Within the benchmark municipalities, the should be noted that at the micro level, there bedroom configurations were consistent with are very few studio and five bedroom units the dominant macro trends, with three available for rent or for sale. bedroom and two bedroom units most common as owner occupied units and two bedroom and
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2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
In Tarentum, while owner occupied unit vacant, followed by one bedroom and two bedroom configurations were consist with bedroom units. macro and micro trends, renter occupied units varied for those trends. While two bedroom There were no studio owner occupied units or rental units were the most common at 40.6%, five bedroom rentals in Tarentum in 2000 and their predominance was minimal to the there were no vacancies in this configuration occurrence of one bedroom rentals at 40.49%. for the rentals or the owner occupied units. Two bedroom units were the most commonly
CHANGE IN BEDROOM CONFIGURATIONS TABLE 14
THE MARKET the time from 1990 to 1999. The number of Since 1990, saw 1,236 residential units sold with foreclosures in Tarentum was approximately 66 units being the median number sold 10% of the total comparison area numbers in annually. This represents a median of 6.5 % of both timeframes. the total number of sales that occurred in the sixteen* municipality benchmark area over the For comparison, the Borough of Oakmont saw a nineteen year period. The median value for total of 1946 units sold over the nineteen year units sold in Tarentum since 1990 is $33,000 period with a median number of annual sales at with the comparison area figure of $60,000. In 107 units. The median sales price of units in terms of foreclosures, both Tarentum and the Oakmont is $97,000. The number of comparison area experienced a threefold foreclosures is approximately 50% of the increase in the median number of foreclosures Tarentum figures during both the 1990s and the from the 2000 to 2008 period as compared to 2000s.
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MEDIAN VALUE OF SPECIFIED OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS MAP 6 RENT LEVELS
In researching rent levels, there were a limited number of examples of properties available for rent in Tarentum to provide statistical data. Examples of 2008 rentals are shown in Table 13.
TARENTUM RENT LEVELS TABLE 15 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 69
2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
Although limited in number, these figures active listings or “deplete the inventory”, which appear to be reliable as they are comparable to is more consistent with current conditions. inflation adjusted census figures wherein the The amount of inventory also typically 1990 median monthly contract rent was $228 determines market. A “neutral market” is and in 2000 it was $353. normally six months of inventory. An inventory of less than six months is a “sellers market”, and There is a wider range of rental information conversely, an inventory of more than 6 months available for the comparison communities. For is a “buyers market.” the benchmark communities, the cost is typically $300 for a one-bedroom unit to $500 Absorption Rates are the best means of tracking for a two-bedroom unit. There are no studio market performance. They are usually used to units available, but three-bedroom units are indicate “overall market performance”, or how available and generally in the $600 to $1000+ an entire market is doing. Absorption Rates are range. also used to indicate market performance by price range, or how a particular price n a market Beyond simple housing statistics, there are also is doing. specific measures that are used to evaluate the health of housing markets. One of these is known as the absorption rate, which is a OCCUPANT AND UNIT PROFILE calculation of the average number of homes sold over a particular period of time. OCCUPANT The absorption rate is found by dividing the number of listings that are sold by the number Based on the 2000 Census data, the typical of new listings that come onto the market. This residential property owner is a male headed number is written in a percentage. If the household, with the head of the head of absorption rate is above 50%, that means the household being age 37.9, and contains 2.3 inventory level is shrinking. If the absorption persons. The household income is $26,895. rate is below 50%, the market is not absorbing the inventory, and thus the inventory level will OWNER OCCUPIED UNIT be increasing. In Tarentum, the median annual number of residential sales has been 66.5, with The typical owner-occupied unit is a single the monthly of sales being 5.5 units. In family detached structure with three bedrooms November and December of 2008 there were and a value of $47,200. 28 homes on the market, which is consistent with historic listing levels. Based on these RENTER OCCUPIED UNIT numbers, it would have taken approximately five months to sell the active listings and the The typical renter-occupied unit is a single absorption rate was in excess of 200%. family detached structure with either one or However, the number of sales through two bedrooms and a contract rent of $388. December of 2008 is down to 28 units, indicating that the monthly of sales has AFFORBABILITY dropped to 2.3 units or less than half of the previous rate. The absorption rate is down to Affordability is also an important aspect of a 100% and it will now take one year to sell the strong housing market. With the 80% of median
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income figure being $35,700 for Allegheny value of $50,000, it ranks sixth highest in terms County, approximately 60% of Tarentum of real estate tax costs. However, using this residents would be considered low and figure ignores the fact of relative values moderate income. Almost 24% of the wherein $50,000 is higher than the median population would fall under the $13,400 very value of housing in Tarentum and is much less low income level. than the median value in other communities if housing is available at that price level at all. Also important in the issue of affordability is the Utilizing the 2000 median census value for each local real estate taxation burden. When municipality and applying the local tax rates, Tarentum is compared to the other benchmark Tarentum ranks third lowest, making it very communities based upon a standard housing affordable in terms of local tax rates.
REAL ESTATE TAX COMPARISON TABLE 16
Beyond the issue of simply having sufficient provide a “true” cost of housing when travel to income to cover the cost of mortgage payments work is factored into overall housing and related housing costs, more recently there affordability costs. In this index, Tarentum has been research into the cost of housing in scores a figure of 44.14% of income when conjunction with the cost of transportation. The housing and transportation costs are combined. Center for Neighborhood Technology has This is below the Center’s “target” figure of developed an index that incorporates a variety 45%. of housing and transportation related costs to
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2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES a financial stake in maintaining properties and usually a stronger commitment to community. A strong housing market based upon a sound and affordable housing stock, including low tax Based upon review of the Borough’s recently rates, makes Tarentum a desirable place to live. revised Zoning Ordinance, it appears that a Reduction in the number of vacancies means number of issues mentioned at the public more revenues for the Borough not only in meetings conducted during the course of the terms of taxes and utility usage; but also, in preparation of this report are related more to terms of local income taxes. Fewer vacancies enforcement than to a lack of existing also mean fewer opportunities for the use of regulations. Some modification of the RD and unoccupied properties in illicit activities which SP classifications made be made as the result of also reduces municipal service expenditures. A the adoption of this report. higher home owner occupancy rate also means
DISTRICT PERMITTED CONDITIONAL SPECIAL Single- family Accessory apartment to single R1 Planned residential None family development Conversion of single family to multifamily Single- family Family care R2 Two-family dwelling None Group care Townhouse dwelling Boarding house Accessory apartment to single family Single- family Conversion of single family to R2A Two-family dwelling None multifamily Townhouse dwelling Accessory apartment to single family Conversion of single family to Garden dwelling multifamily C1 None Multifamily, multistory Residences above commercial dwelling or nonprofit use RD Existing dwelling units Riverfront multifamily None SP Planned residential Mobile home park None
ZONING DISTRICTS PERMITTING RESIDENTIAL USES TABLE 17
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HOUSING INCENTIVES IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
In the absence of a perfect market, there will In designing a residential development strategy, usually be some mismatch in the housing supply there are a number of components that can be and demand that requires the introduction of incorporated into the program. This document incentives to reduce market inefficiencies and suggests four primary component: achieve policy goals. There are two general types of incentives available to stimulate the Acquisition and Conversion (1 to 5 years) housing market: direct and indirect. Direct incentives involve the infusion of cash, either on The first involves a component that reduces the the front end or during the life of the project to supply of units for which there is no market. In increase project “feasibility.” this component, a survey of Tarentum is conducted to identify properties for which There are also passive incentives usually reduce there is a functional mismatch in supply and risk such as mortgage insurance or mortgage demand such as too few or too many guaranties. Tax abatement programs that bedrooms. These properties also include those reduce taxes on new construction or on that have been most recently utilized in non- rehabilitated properties minimize the impact of residential occupancy such as commercial and new taxes that result from the investment in industrial uses and former public use structures housing, thus reducing costs associated with the such as school buildings, churches, etc. A provision of housing and increasing the cash number of these structures exist in Tarentum flow to the investor and/or decreasing costs to and the buildings and receive special mention in the occupant. In either case, the object is to the County Comprehensive Plan. “Allegheny increase the marketability of the project or Places recommends that municipalities that property. Specific incentives are reviewed in have a number of vacant, abandoned, and the recommendations section for use in the under-utilized structures conduct an inventory implementation of the suggested strategy. to identify the structures, note any exceptional qualities (e.g., architectural, historic and/or RECOMMENDATIONS community value), evaluate the condition of the structure, and note the potential for re-use, if The data suggests that there is a healthy any (pgs. 4D-10; 4D-12).” housing market in Tarentum Borough. The local market has demonstrated the capacity to HUD Incentive Programs absorb the sales of 66 residential units annually, with the majority of these being single family HUD’s new Neighborhood Stabilization Program homes. There has been relatively little activity will provide emergency assistance to state and in terms of new residential new construction local governments to acquire and redevelop with the exception of 72 senior housing units foreclosed properties that might otherwise completed late in 2007. However, the high become sources of abandonment and blight rental vacancy rate indicates that there is a within their communities. The Neighborhood structural mismatch of demand and supply for Stabilization Program (NSP) provides grants to this market. As a result of this information, the every state and certain local communities to following strategy is proposed: purchase foreclosed or abandoned homes and to rehabilitate, resell, or redevelop these homes in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem
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2009-2019 HOUSING – THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
the decline of house values of neighboring Tourism Fund (the “CITF”) will provide grants to homes. allow municipalities, authorities and councils of government to carry out important The Allegheny First-time Homebuyers Program infrastructure related development. The CITF offers low-interest mortgages to eligible first- will also provide a combination of loans and time homebuyers. Applicants may also apply for grants for the acquisition and development of closing cost and down payment assistance. key sites for future use by businesses, private developers and others. The CITF is intended to The Allegheny Targeted Area Homebuyer provide financial assistance to municipalities, Program provides low-interest mortgages to authorities, developers and non-profits to qualified homebuyers in targeted census tracts stabilize or correct existing infrastructure to help increase homeownership. problems, and plan and prepare sites for future use. EPA Brownfield Assessment Program The Allegheny Home Improvement Loan (ARTEZ) is an extension of an existing program Program (AHILP) provides funding assistance offered in the Allegheny River Town Enterprise that enables low-income homeowners to Zone that utilizes federal funding to conduct improve their homes. Phase I and II environmental assessments and limited remediation activity. Third Ward Housing Component (1 to 10 years) Main Street Residential (1 to 5 years) The third component is one that is associated with the redevelopment of the Borough’s Third One of the areas where there is a concentrated Ward. A large portion of the Third Ward has number of vacant units is in the proposed been identified as blighted and is Borough’s proposed Main Street Main district. underproductive in terms of its return to the According to the survey conducted by the Borough. While this strategy is discussed in Community Technical Assistance Center, there detail in the Third Ward Redevelopment Plan, are 58 mixed-use properties in the area this component of the strategy consists of two designated as MS1, or primary Main Street primary scenarios: high and mixed density district. Of this number, there are 33 properties development. In the high density scenario, a listed as partially occupied that contain 104 new urbanism approach is utilized in the entire residential units. While not all of the units are area between 7th Avenue and the riverfront. In vacant, there are a sufficient number in a the mixed density scenario, medium density relatively compact area to create a synergistic development is undertaken in the area between effect with the Main Street commercial 7th and 4th Avenues, with high density revitalization. Not only can the use of these development being used in the area between normally unused properties result in additional the railroad tracks and the riverfront. An income for the property owner, but they can additional variation involves a Transit Oriented also create a captive market for goods and Development scenario. services available from Main Street businesses. A conceptual program could include incentives County Incentive Programs for the renovation of vacant residential units in the mixed use structures or the purchase of Allegheny County CDBG Program utilizes a complete properties by a nonprofit with federal funding allocation to undertake projects subsequent renovation and rental of both the that meet specified national program commercial and residential units. The area objectives. The Community Infrastructure
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HOUSING –THE CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS 2009-2019 designated as MS2 would also benefit from this ELM STREET PROGRAM program. The fourth component involves the utilization Main Street Incentive Programs of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Elm Street Allegheny Valley Bank offers an Program to target revitalization in the Upstairs/Downstairs program that provides neighborhoods contiguous to the Main Street financing that covers both the commercial and district. The Elm Street Program was initiated residential parts of a mixed-use project. In by the Pennsylvania Department of Community addition, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance and Economic Development to extend the Agency has created the Mixed Use Facility benefits of the Main Street Program to the Financing Initiative within its Homeownership areas within ½ mile of the commercial district Choice Program. The Initiative recognizes that by utilizing the same approaches used in the there are many properties located within revitalization of the commercial corridor in the commercial corridors throughout the residential areas. The area most likely to be Commonwealth that consist of street level designated would be the remainder of 7th storefronts with residential apartment space in Avenue not designated as Main Street and the upper floors. Rehabilitation of these mixed-use parallel areas of 8th and 9th Avenues. buildings provides a means of stabilizing and revitalizing commercial corridors and PA DCED Incentive Programs surrounding residential neighborhoods by attracting and retaining businesses, providing The Pennsylvania Department of Community increased housing opportunities for local and Economic Development Elm Street Program residents. provides financial support for area specific residential revitalization similar to the Main Street Program .
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NOTES
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ECONOMIC RETROSPECTIVE AND FUTURE PREDICTORS 2009-2019
OVERALL ECONOMY
POPULATION
Population is a key factor not only in terms of Pennsylvania experienced a single-digit growth workforce, but for certain types of businesses rate of 8.5% over the 40 year period while the as a market. While both the US and the US population grew 56.94%. Allegheny County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gained the City of Pittsburgh, and Tarentum Borough population over both the 1960 to 1990 and the all had double digit population declines over the 1990 to 2000 periods, Allegheny County, the same period with the City showing the largest City of Pittsburgh, and Tarentum Borough lost decrease at 44.64%. Over the 1990s, the rate of population over the same timeframes. decline
PLACE 1960 1990 2000 60/90% 60/2000% 90/2000% US 179,323,175 248,791,000 281,421,906 38.74% 56.94% 13.12% Pennsylvania 11,319,366 11,881,643 12,281,054 4.97% 8.50% 3.36% Allegheny 1,628,587 1,336,449 1,281,666 -17.94% -21.30% -4.10% Pittsburgh 604,332 369,879 334563 -38.80% -44.64% -9.55% Tarentum 8232 5674 4993 -31.07% -39.35% -12.00%
TABLE 1 POPULATION COMPARISON 1960 – 1990 - 2000
decreased for the local jurisdictions, although also the highest median age in 2000 at 39.6 Tarentum had the only double decrease over years. While Pennsylvania had the largest the ten year period at 12.0%. While population percentage increase in the median age of the decreased locally, it appears that the rate of population at 8.57%, Pittsburgh had the lowest decline has slowed during the 1990 to 2000 increase at 2.9%. Tarentum had the second Census period. lowest increase in median age at 5.57%.
Beyond simple population change, it is Additional information can be gleaned by important to understand where the change is breaking down the population into age cohorts. occurring according to the age of the Rather than the usual breakdown of cohorts population. Aging of the population is into years, four distinct cohorts were used in represented by both the median age of the this planning effort. The 0 to 5 year cohort population as well as the change in certain age represents youngest children at a preschool cohorts. age. The 5 to 17 year cohort represents school age youth who should be in the education In terms of median age, the nation as a whole system and require recreational services. The had the youngest population figure with a 18 to 64 year old age group represents those median age of 32.9 years in 1990 and a median who are in or about to enter the workforce. age of 35.3 in 2000. Allegheny County had the Until recently, the 65 year and older group highest median age in 1990 at 36.6 years and represented a lower level of economic activity,
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2009-2019 ECONOMIC RETROSPECTIVE AND FUTURE PREDICTORS but their presence due to delayed retirement included those less than five years of age. This should now be considered when considering group had a decrease of 5.0% from 1990, which employment needs and as an available was second to the 65+ age group which workforce. experienced a decrease of 18.97%, the most extreme change in any of the comparison In terms of age cohorts in 2000, the Borough of jurisdictions or cohorts. The change in the 18 to Tarentum had the highest percentage of 64 group is a positive statistic for Tarentum as it residents in the 18 to 64 group and experienced means that the largest section of the population the greatest increase from 1990 in this same is at least an age available to fill the workforce group at 7.24%. The Borough’s smallest cohort needs of the economy
US PA COUNTY PIITSBURGH TARENTUM AGE 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 Median 32.9 35.3 35 38 36.6 39.6 34.5 35.5 35.9 37.9 < 5 7.4% 6.8% 6.7% 5.9% 6.3% 5.5% 6.2% 5.3% 6.0% 5.7% 5 to 17 18.2% 18.9% 16.8% 17.9% 14.8% 16.4% 13.6% 14.6% 16.5% 16.3% 18 to 64 61.8% 61.9% 61.1% 60.6% 61.5% 60.3% 62.3% 64.0% 58.0% 62.2% 65* 12.6% 12.4% 15.4% 15.6% 17.4% 17.8% 17.9% 16.4% 19.5% 15.8% TABLE 2 AGE COHORTS 1990 – 2000
Further support for this assumption is provided percentage of residents with earnings in 1990 by reviewing the source of income for municipal when compared to the other jurisdictions, the residents. The percentage of Borough residents current number is even more impressive. For with earnings income in 2000 was 77.2%, a information purposes, Supplemental Security figure second only to the US statistic of 80.5%. Income (SSI) and Public Assistance were Considering that Tarentum had the lowest counted as one category in 1990.
US PA COUNTY PIITSBURGH TARENTUM INCOME 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 With Earnings 77.4% 80.5% 73.9% 76.7% 71.6% 74.9% 67.6% 72.4% 66.0% 77.2% Social Security 26.3% 25.7% 31.6% 30.4% 34.0% 31.9% 34.5% 30.0% 39.6% 30.6% SSI 4.4% 4.3% 4.2% 6.2% 7.9% Public assistance 7.5% 3.4% 7.4% 3.1% 8.0% 3.1% 13.7% 5.5% 9.8% 3.5% Retirement 15.6% 16.7% 19.3 19.7% 21.2% 20.1% 18.8% 17.3% 23.8% 16.4% TABLE 3 SOURCE OF INCOME 1990 – 2000
As the population has decreased in Tarentum, increased consistently. The unemployment rate the size of the labor force has fluctuated over has decreased overall, with the largest increase the period from 1960 to 2000, but its occurring in the 1980s when it reached double percentage of the total population has digits. The increase in the workforce has
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ECONOMIC RETROSPECTIVE AND FUTURE PREDICTORS 2009-2019 occurred as the percent of the population education as indicated by an approximately engaged in manufacturing has decreased 52.5% equal increase of 52.4% in the percentage of from 52.2% in 1960 to 24.8% in 2000. The those who have graduated high school from increase in employability also appears to have 36.1% in 1960 to 55.0% in 2000. come as the result of an increase in the level of
TARENTUM 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Population 8232 7379 6419 5674 4993 Labor Force 2279 2700 2667 2548 2456 % Population in Labor Force 27.7% 36.6% 41.5% 44.9% 49.2%
% Unemployed 9.1% 6.0% 10.0% 8.0% 4.1% % Graduated high school 36.1% 46.1% 58.7% 43.8% 55.0% % Employed in manufacturing 52.2% 42.0% 36.1% 33.2% 24.8%
TABLE 4 WORKFORCE CHANGES 1960 – 2000
The 2000 Census indicates that there are 1,866 14.1% of all working residents. The largest people employed in Tarentum. At the same percentage of workers, 62.2%, live in Allegheny time, the number of Borough residents County while outside of the borough itself, employed is 2,251. The number of those who while the second and third largest percentage both live and work in the municipality is 318, or of workers live in Harrison Township (13.1%) 17% of all employees working in Tarentum and and Brackenridge Borough (4.3%).
TABLE 5 % OF TARENTUM WORKERS BY RESIDENCE
Of those who live in Tarentum, 77.1% do not Township, 11.2%. Westmoreland County is a leave Allegheny County when commuting to work destination for 13.7% of Tarentum work. Within the County, the percentage of residents, with 4.8 % going to New Borough residents who work in the City of Kensington. Pittsburgh, 12.2%, is closely followed by the percentage who commute to Harrison TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 79
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LIVE WORK Tarentum Allegheny County 1736 " Tarentum 318 " Westmoreland County 308 " Pittsburgh 274 " Harrison 252 " Brackenridge 176 " New Kensington 109 " O'Hara 101 " Lower Burrel 82 TABLE 6 % OF TARENTUM WORKERS BY PLACE OF WORK
In terms of occupation, jobs that involve sales and related occupations exceed 30% of all and office occupations are the most common employment. Sales and office occupations rank employment for Tarentum residents at 25.5%, second, while production, transportation and followed closely by production, transportation material moving jobs rank third. Farming, and material moving jobs at 25.1%. fishing, and forestry occupations are the least Management, professional, and related common for all jurisdictions with construction, occupations rank third at 20.7%. For the extraction, and maintenance occupations comparison areas, management, professional ranking second least common.
TABLE 7 OCCUPATION - 2000
In terms of industry of employment, the 2000 were the most common industry at 24.4%, and Census indicates that while manufacturing were also the most common industries of employment for Tarentum residents fell 52.5% choice in Pennsylvania and the US. The from 1960, it was still the most common educational, health and social service group of employment at 24.8%. For Allegheny County, industries was the second most common educational, health and social service positions employment group for Tarentum residents at
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ECONOMIC RETROSPECTIVE AND FUTURE PREDICTORS 2009-2019
18.4%. While manufacturing was the second and management service industry jobs ranked most common industry of employment in the third in Allegheny County. It should be noted US and Pennsylvania, 11.9% of Allegheny that continuing changes in Census survey design County residents held positions in retail trade. do not allow specific comparisons across all Retail employment ranked third in the US, industry groups. Pennsylvania and Tarentum; while professional
ALLEGHENY TARENTUM US PA COUNTY BOROUGH
INDUSTRY 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 3.3% 1.9% 2.4% 1.3% 0.8% 0.2% 1.0% 0.0%
Construction 6.2% 6.8% 6.1% 6.0% 5.7% 5.4% 6.0% 8.0% Manufacturing 17.7% 14.1% 20.0% 16.0% 12.2% 9.0% 33.2% 24.8% Wholesale trade 4.4% 3.6% 4.3% 3.6% 4.7% 3.4% 4.5% 1.7%
Retail trade 16.8% 11.7% 17.1% 12.1% 18.4% 11.9% 16.9% 10.7% Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 7.4% 5.2% 7.2% 5.4% 8.1% 6.0% 6.4% 5.3% Information " 3.1% " 2.6% " 3.2% " 2.9%
Finance, insurance, real estate, and rental and leasing 6.9% 6.9% 6.5% 6.6% 8.3% 8.5% 4.5% 3.2% Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services 27.4% 9.3% 27.2% 8.5% 31.4% 11.2% 25.8% 7.6%
Educational, health and social services " 19.9% " 21.9% " 24.4% " 18.4% Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services " 7.9% " 7.0% " 8.2% " 8.3% Other services (except public administration) " 4.9% " 4.8% " 5.1% " 6.7% Public administration 4.8% 4.8% 4.0% 4.2% 3.3% 3.3% 1.6% 2.2%
TABLE 8 EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY – 1990/2000
Another economic count provided by the approximation to its boundaries is the Zip Code Census is the County Business Patterns. This level, or in this case 15084. While the statistics count provides both the number of for the years 2000 to 2005 exhibit reasonable establishments and employees for various levels of change, the number of employees jurisdictions. For Tarentum, the closest counted in 2006 does
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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 ESTABLISHMENTS 217 212 223 221 219 277 313 EMPLOYEES 1995 1997 2155 2277 2304 2492 4821
TABLE 9 ESTABLISHMENTS AND EMPLOYMENT ZIP CODED 15084
not appear consistent with the trend and, in competitiveness and planning for economic fact, is only slightly less than the total development. These issues are: population for Tarentum in 2000. In this case, we suspect that the large increase in Labor and work force employment is actually tracking new Need to upgrade facilities or equipment employment at the Pittsburgh Mills Mall which Desire to reach new markets opened in 2005 and uses a Tarentum Post Desire to lower costs or increase cash Office address. flow Considerations about quality of life The number of establishments counted in 2006 is of more curiosity because, as it would be Chief among reasons for business relocation is logical to assume that it is also tracking the the need for a suitable work force. Worker number of new businesses at Pittsburgh Mills, it shortage in some occupations, especially those does coincide with the number of commercial with technical training requirements, is a electric accounts counted by the Borough’s serious impediment to business success. One electric utility. In any case, the statistics show a solution to worker shortage is relocation or consistent number of establishments and a opening of a second facility where worker steady increase in related employment. shortage is not a concern. An excellent example of this situation is the opening of a facility by Tarentum Borough has maintained a business Google in the City of Pittsburgh. When Google and resident friendly tax since the mid 1990s. was unable to recruit information sector While the Borough increased its non-resident professionals who were educated at Carnegie Earned Income Tax (EIT) from 0.5% to 1.0% in Mellon University, it opened a new office 1991, it cut the rate back to 0.5% in 1996 and location in Pittsburgh. With rapid changes in eliminated it in 2003. The municipal and school technology, the availability of post secondary district EITs have been held to 0.5% respectively educational facilities and technical schools is since the early 1990s. The municipal business also important to upgrade necessary skills. privilege tax has also held steady at a flat rate of Related to workforce is the issue of unionism, $25. which can have positive or negative implications To plan for development of the local economy, depending on the employer. it is important to understand what issues guide businesses in their location decision making. When expansion and/or relocation occurs, it is While there may be a debate about the number often the result of outmoded or undersized of important issues and their order of facilities. The image of a business starting in a importance, we believe that there are five founder’s garage is not without basis in reality, primary issues that are important to businesses especially in the information age. Businesses and therefore must be used as a benchmark by start in a small facility to test their product and, political jurisdictions in judging their 82 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
ECONOMIC RETROSPECTIVE AND FUTURE PREDICTORS 2009-2019 when successful, move to bigger facilities - SCORECARD usually in the same vicinity. When the business outgrows that location or discovers In terms of labor and work force, the Borough inefficiencies in its production facilities, physical has experienced a decline in population, but has plant or operational requirement; relocation is seen an increase in the size of its labor force a necessity. When faced with this situation, a due to an increase in the 18 to 64 age cohort of prudent business must consider other issues at the population. The education of the the same time. Cost of living is a major concern population has also improved with a major and can vary widely from the Northeast to the increase in the percent of the population having Southwest. Cost of living may also vary widely graduated from high school. within a region or even a state. A business seeking to upgrade its facilities or Another major location issue is proximity to equipment can avail itself of a variety of target markets. With gas prices having broken economic development incentives through the the $4 gallon mark, the importance of this issue Allegheny County Department of Economic is self-evident. However, companies often find Development and the Commonwealth of a need to compromise between remaining close Pennsylvania. to target markets and choosing the most cost efficient facility. The market issue can work in The ability to reach new markets is in large both directions with proximity to raw materials measure dependent upon the efforts of the and suppliers having its own cost concerns. company itself. The existence of the Allegheny Financial issues are also obviously a factor to Conference and various specialized consider. Major companies seeking to relocate organizations such as DSN Innovations, can help trade the promise of major job creation for an businesses identify new markets and inordinate amount of financial incentives that successfully capture new opportunities. rarely justify the amount of public investment. In fact, it is routine for such companies to retain Although the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania experts to make sure that they obtain all the has previously been labeled as a “not business “entitlements” for which they are eligible. friendly” state, more recently it has taken The most intangible issue of concern is quality efforts to cut businesses and property taxes. of life. Companies evaluating relocation often Tarentum has also experienced stable rates for look at housing costs, quality of education both property and mercantile taxes. facilities, crime rates, health care, recreational opportunities, and other factors when Considerations about quality of life are a “no evaluating a city's quality of life. These factors brainer”, as the Borough is able to offer a strong usually end up as tiebreakers, as the ability to residential housing market and a variety of staff and operate a business in the most cultural and recreational amenities either effective situation is usually the paramount locally or through Allegheny County. location consideration. The major exception occurs when a business vacates a deteriorating We submit that the Borough is a strong location inner city to locate to a nearby suburban for business expansion or relocation. location offering better amenities. Having set out a list of criteria for business There are also a number of issues to consider relocation decisions, how does Tarentum when preparing an economic development Borough measure up against these criteria and strategy for any political jurisdiction. These how can the Borough plan to correct its include political expectations, tax revenues and deficiencies or improve its position? employment.
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EXPECTATIONS ORGANIZATION
The local political jurisdiction should consider One of the major issues in supporting local the business plan approach to economic development is the availability of the development and identify the reasons that it appropriate organizations by acting as a conduit wants to retain or attract new businesses. for federal and state program, there is no local While it may seem sacrilegious from an not for profit development organization to economic development standpoint to allow a represent Tarentum’s interest in a development business to leave a jurisdiction; changing project and act as a conduit for foundation industrial processes and/or changing funding. As the majority of development neighborhood characteristics often cause projects now involve a “mega-community” businesses, especially older industries, to be approach, successful development efforts seen as a nuisance. Smokestack industries that suggest the creation of such an entity to were viewed as sources of prosperity by provide ongoing public involvement and immigrants arriving in this country during the support of local development projects. A 1800s and 1900s, are now seen as sources of air previous attempt to fill this need resulted in the pollution and respiratory diseases. Businesses creation in the Pride In Tarentum (PIT). that formerly received supplies and transported Unfortunately, this organization did not survive finished product by rail may now have to rely on beyond its creation and attempts to track its truck transportation that travels through history for the purpose of reactivation have residential areas. been futile. The Borough has been working with student attorneys at the Duquesne University If a jurisdiction is seeking to develop vacant Economic and Community Development Law land, new light industrial and/or office Clinic (ECD Law Clinic) who provide pro bono development can accomplish this with lower services to non-profit groups and distressed municipal service demands than residential communities under the guidance of a development. supervising attorney, Dean Norma Tarquato. An initial effort was made to track previous TAX REVENUE AND EMPLOYMENT steps in the creation of PIT. However, the possibility that the prior corporation had It is often not easy to separate these two unresolved liabilities led the Clinic to suggest development related issues. The construction the establishment of a new non-profit would be of a new facility may result in an expansion of the most prudent course of action. To distance the tax base, but in the case of a warehouse, the prior attempt at the creation of a CDC, the not a major increase in employment. Call Borough’s new non-profit development centers usually create a large number of jobs, corporation will be known as the Redcat but in an effort to minimize facility costs, Redevelopment and Revitalization Corporation usually prefer to reuse existing facilities with (RRRC). After obtaining an FEIN from the little or no expansion of the tax base. Even if a Internal Revenue Service and incorporating with facility creates new jobs, there is often little the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the that can be legally done to ensure that a Borough Manager will identify the initial Board jurisdiction’s residents receive the jobs; of Directors. The Law Clinic will then utilize this especially if there is a mismatch in qualifications documentation to file for 501(c)(3) status with or benefit expectations. the IRS.
Beyond the establishment of its own development organization and in the spirit of intergovernmental cooperation, the Borough 84 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
ECONOMIC RETROSPECTIVE AND FUTURE PREDICTORS 2009-2019 should take an active role in obtaining DCED SITE AVAILABILITY Enterprise Zone designation for itself and other communities in the Allegheny Valley. The City As part of the Third Ward Redevelopment of New Kensington has held this designation Strategy, the Borough is proposing to acquire since 2005, and under the Enterprise Program’s and reuse underutilized industrial land along its current program duration of seven years, will riverfront to retain existing businesses. exit the program in July, 2012. The Enterprise Because of terrain and access problems, the Zone designation for a separate municipality Borough’s KOZ does not offer the opportunities may be extended if it applies as part of a new that were envisioned when it received its regional zone. Such a proposed zone would designation from the Pennsylvania Department cover portions of both Allegheny and of Community and Economic Development. It Westmoreland Counties and include appears that one of the key strategies that the municipalities such as the City of Arnold, Borough can adopt to encourage economic Brackenridge Borough, Lower Burrell, development is to utilize the Redcat Springdale Borough and Tarentum Borough; in Redevelopment and Revitalization Corporation addition to the City of New Kensington. to acquire vacant or underutilized land and/or Planning for this new zone could be initiated in buildings and either assemble the land for new 2010 so the designation of the new zone would construction or renovate existing structures for coincide with New Kensington’s exit from its reuse by new businesses. current designation status. FUNDING TARGET INDUSTRIES/BUSINESSES Retain existing businesses (Economic While the Director of the DCED’s Southwestern Development Rule #1) Office and the Community Action Team indicates that potential funding applicants There are two businesses that should be given should devise financing plans with his priority consideration for retention efforts: consultation, we list possible financing sources LaRusse Distributing Co., Inc. and F – Squared here as a matter of reference. Inc. LaRusse has been a major beverage supplier in the region and even after the recent FEDERAL construction of a new facility in the Borough’s Section 108 loan Third Ward; is still in need of additional Economic Development Initiative Grant operational space. F – Squared is also an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act important local business featuring a machine shop and metals fabrication business that may STATE be displaced as part of the Allegheny Together Business in Our Sites Grants and Loans Program. Both of these facilities would benefit Industrial Sites Reuse Program from location in the proposed Third Ward Infrastructure Development Program Riverfront Redevelopment Area, allowing them Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) to expand and still be close to their present Opportunity Grant Program location. LaRusse would then have the option Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing to continue to use its existing facility for a Authority (PEDFA) portion of its operations or sell or rent its Small Business First current facility as a site for attracting a new business to Tarentum. OTHER Foundation funding
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NOTES
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86 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
THE KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE 2009-2019
KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE plan. A water line stub was constructed under PLAN UPDATE Route 28 that could provide water to any development in the area. When the decision was made to prepare an updated strategy for In late 1998, Governor Tom Ridge signed into the KOZ as part of the Comprehensive Plan, one law House Bill 2328, Act 92 of 1998, which of the possible considerations was to have the provided for the creation of twelve Keystone Borough, the Highlands School District, and Opportunity Zones (KOZ) within the Allegheny County reauthorize their tax Commonwealth. The goal of the KOZ Program abatement legislation to continue this incentive was to revive economically distressed urban in the absence of state tax benefits. This and rural areas by using a combination of state benefit would then be limited to a period of ten and local tax incentives to encourage new years. investment and job growth. The Pennsylvania program was modeled after the Michigan The Borough has recently considered a number Renaissance Zone Program which was of development opportunities in the Zone, authorized by that state in 1996. The Michigan including the possibility of constructing a new program authorized zones for ten, twelve and facility for LaRusse Distributing Company, one fifteen year terms. of the largest employers in the Borough that distributes beverages throughout Western Under the program, local taxing authorities Pennsylvania. A review of the site by a local were required to pass ordinances or resolutions developer indicates that there two major to offer abatements to reduce and/or eliminate constraints to development in the KOZ. First, taxes within the KOZ for a period of twelve the steep topography would require extensive years. The clock on these benefits began on grading to create a level site of appropriate size, January 1, 1999 and is set to expire on resulting in inordinate site development costs. December 31, 2010. The Pennsylvania Second, there is no direct access to the area Department of Community and Economic from Route 28. Existing access requires vehicles Development is responsible for administering to enter the Borough proper and to access the the program at the state level and the KOZ by way of Bakerstown Road through a Southwest Pennsylvania Commission acts as residential area which has tight radius curves a local coordinator for Zones and Subzones in and steep inclines. Additional development will Southwestern Pennsylvania. While the KOZ add unwanted commercial traffic through this Program was intended to be a one shot effort, a residential neighborhood. Because of its subsequent qualification of zones that did not proximity to Exit 14 of Route 28, it is unlikely meet the original designation deadline was that Penn DOT will authorize the construction conducted with tax abatement, extended to 15 of an additional access point from Route 28 to years for the newly designated Keystone the KOZ. A more likely access road would Opportunity Improvement Sub-zones. connect with Bull Creek Road just beyond Route
366. In addition to the need for access through Tarentum’s KOZ has been designated as the a portion of neighboring Harrison Township, Tarentum Bakerstown Road Redevelopment this connection would also require extensive Zone. The original proposed use of the Zone grading to link with the KOZ. Because of these was for the development of higher end constraints, timely utilization of the land in the residential housing that would have expanded KOZ for traditional development is unlikely to both the Borough’s real estate tax rolls as well occur. However, the area’s location separate as its income tax base once the KOZ tax from the remainder of the Borough suggests an abatement period ended. Work on the strategy alternative use that may provide revenues to proceeded to the completion of a detailed site
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Tarentum beyond that which may have parties interested in purchasing the rights for occurred as the result of KOZ designation. natural gas drilling at Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport. The The area in and around the KOZ contains a authority received no bids from companies number of gas wells. Information from the interested in leasing thousands of acres of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental county-owned land at the two airports for Protection indicates that there are three active drilling. The lack of bids may have been due to gas wells in Tarentum, with two appearing to lie the volatility in the energy market as well as the within the KOZ boundaries. The Borough has possibility that potential bidders were discussed the exploration of the site with a local anticipating an offering of additional drilling company, but no action has occurred to opportunities for drilling on County owned land. date in this regard. Recently, the Allegheny County Airport Authority solicited bids from
MAP OF EXISTING WELLS IN TARENTUM AREA 2008 STRATEGY
The rising cost of energy as well as increasing included the use of natural gas and clean coal requirements to reduce emissions, have created technologies within its portfolio of renewable a perfect storm of sorts for local energy energy sources, largely due to their historic role generation efforts. The availability of a reliable in the state’s economy. source of natural gas and the municipal ownership of a local electrical energy The availability of a source of low cost fuel and distribution system provides a unique its proximity to a local distribution system can opportunity to reduce dependence on foreign also increase efficiency through reduced energy sources as well as increasing energy transmission losses. efficiency through local power generation. Pennsylvania is one of the few states that has 88 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
THE KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE 2009-2019
Adoption of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Borough that can be sold for to raise Standards Act 213 of 2004 by the additional revenues. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that electric distribution companies and electric Electrical power can be sold to local generation suppliers utilize a specific businesses and industry at preferred percentage of electricity from alternative resources in the power that they sell to rates and act as an incentive for Pennsylvania customers. The level of alternative business retention or attraction. energy required gradually increases to 8% over fifteen years according to a schedule found in The following strategy for this plan is Act 213, but does not mandate exactly which suggested: resources must be utilized and in what quantities. Conduct test drilling to confirm the presence of adequate gas reserves. Included in the definition of alternative energy sources are fuel cells, which, according to the Prepare a complete economic legislation, “shall mean any electrochemical feasibility analysis of the device that converts chemical energy in a hydrogen-rich fuel directly into electricity, heat development of a fuel cell facility and water without combustion.” Not only would the use of fuel cell generated electricity Assemble financing for drilling, allow the Borough to meet its requirement as construction of the generation an Electric Generation Supplier EGS, but it facility, access to the Borough’s would also allow the power sold to its supplier distribution system and grid to meet the alternative energy requirements, interconnect. thus earning the Borough additional credits that could be sold to further reduce electrical costs for customers or generate additional revenue for Tarentum.
The utilization of the KOZ as a site for energy generation can have four primary benefits to the Borough.
The local generation of electricity will stabilize energy costs for Tarentum residents and utility customers.
FINANCING RESOURCES The generation of excess power can
be sold back to the supplier as a The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers source of revenue for the Borough. a variety of programs that may be utilized
to finance a local electrical power The generation of power that generation system: qualifies as an alternative energy
source can earn credits for the TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 89
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Pennsylvania Department of Community West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund and Economic Development West Penn Power funds sustainable energy DCED will provide loans and grants through the technologies which parallels its mission and will Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), benefit the West Penn Power service region. including funds for planning and feasibility Investment tools include: commercial loans, studies up to 50% of the total cost of the equity investment, subordinated debt, and project or $175,000, whichever is less. royalty financing.
Pennsylvania Department of Penn State University Environmental Protection Penn State University’s Program in Energy The Energy Harvest Grant Program will provide Business and Finance has the capacity to look at funding for projects that promote or build the project from several aspects including the markets for advanced or renewable energy technical aspects of natural gas drilling and the technologies especially those that enhance economics of alternative energy production. economic development up to $500,000. (Note: for projects that involve developing facilities and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act infrastructure, state law requires DEP to (ARRA) consider local comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances in funding decisions. It also is Although specific program details are suggested that the Borough apply for funding unavailable at the time of this writing, financing while its KOZ designation remains intact.) through the “stimulus bill” has been tentatively targeted at alternative energy projects. Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) The ability of Tarentum to generate its own electricity may also increase its attractiveness PEDA offers funding for innovative, advanced to the Allegheny County Department of energy projects, and for the generation of Emergency Services and other emergency alternative energy. PEDA projects may fuel cells management and security organizations as and encourage backup facility sites. The private sector may applicants with projects related to distributed also see the attractiveness of sites with local generation for critical public infrastructure. power generation capacity when considering backup data storage or remote operations facilities.
90 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT 2009-2019
OVERVIEW
The selection of the Borough’s Third Ward as Create a buffer between a number of the site of a major redevelopment project is the different land uses and the Norfolk result of both public comment as well as Southern trackage observations conducted by the consultant. The extent of the deterioration and the compact Allow for the development of a new area in which it is located lends itself to traditional redevelopment efforts. This residential community Redevelopment Plan is considered a key component of the Borough’s updated Create an area of mixed-use development Comprehensive Plan. This report is not intended blending renovation of existing structures with to replace the more detailed redevelopment new construction along West Seventh Avenue plan which must be prepared by the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County; The decision at this time to limit the boundaries but rather, to serve as a preliminary of the Redevelopment Area and blight determination of the extent of blight and the designation to the Third Ward area of the ability to utilize the power of eminent domain Borough does not preclude extension of the as well as to generate a budget that will allow boundaries to other areas of Tarentum in the for a determination of project feasibility. This future or to the acquisition of property through document should also serve as preparation for Allegheny County’s Vacant Property Review the Tax Increment Financing Plan required for Committee or even the Borough’s own eminent the use of this incentive. While the project fits domain powers as permitted. the new criteria for blight, its feasibility depends in large measure on an end to the current economic uncertainty and the availability of adequate funding to cover costs that are not supported by the market.
The Redevelopment Plan has been designed to meet a number of objectives, which include but are not limited to the following:
Elimination of blight in the lower Third Ward from West Seventh Avenue to the Allegheny River
Creation of a site for the construction of the Borough’s new municipal building - including police and fire stations
Prepare a site for the relocation of expanding businesses or those who need to relocate as the result of development elsewhere in the Borough
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2009-2019 THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION considered to be economically injured because of “inverse condemnation.” When Pennsylvania’s Urban Renewal Law was passed in1945, it was envisioned as a tool to An additional concern with declarations of help local governments condemn, acquire and blight arose when new economic development redevelop properties that were not only failing financial incentives were tied to the declaration to produce their fair share of taxes; but also, as a criterion of eligibility. The first Tax more than likely requiring an inordinate share Increment Financing District was created in of public services. While local governments California in 1952 and was established on the previously possessed the power of eminent basis that it was a financial tool for eliminating domain for specialized purposes, the ability to blight and was thus limited to those areas which acquire property for some as yet to be met the appropriate criteria. While determined purpose was not available until the Pennsylvania’s own TIF legislation did not enactment of this legislation. These two types receive support until 1990, the Local Economic of takings are, in fact, delineated by this Revitalization Tax Act and subsequent related feature. The first type of taking is called an legislation for commercial and industrial antecedent taking because it is based on development were tied to an area’s need for acquisition for a predetermined public reuse, redevelopment even if all properties were not such as constructing roads, water or sewer required to be located in the area if there was a lines, or schools. Public use could also include benefit from the extension of tax abatement. the taking of land to build a school, municipal It would appear that the combination of tying building or a public park, With the passage of economic development incentives to a the Urban Renewal Law, locally created declaration of blight, as well as the local “redevelopment authorities” could now acquire redevelopment authorities’ eagerness to reduce properties that were declared "blighted," or in the risk of the property remaining undeveloped need of redevelopment. Both the process and after acquisition by having a developer already the criteria for determining the need for “in hand”; led to the current issues surrounding redevelopment were specifically defined in the reuse for private economic development legislation. purposes.
The second type is known as a “precedent” In 2003, the City of Lakewood desired to taking, as it is acquisition based on existing exercise eminent domain over the residential conditions. This type of taking requires a West End neighborhood so that an upscale declaration of “blight” in the absence of a condominium development could be built on defined public use. The law saw a number of that land. In order to advance that goal, they challenges over the years that helped to further defined any home within the neighborhood as define its scope, but not its purpose or "blighted" if it did not have three bedrooms, underlying rationale. Issues included whether two bathrooms, an attached two car garage, or not properties that did not individually meet and central air conditioning. The homeowners the blight criteria could be labeled as in need of challenged the definition in court, and were redevelopment to create a workable ultimately successful in fighting the redevelopment area. The issue was ultimately municipality's efforts to take their homes. The accepted, as acquisition of only parts of city Lakewood residents overwhelmingly voted to blocks was deemed to be an ineffective remove the West End’s blight designation. development process. This issue actually led to some of the first lawsuits that required properties to be taken even though they were not blighted or located in the area, but were 92 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT 2009-2019
In the landmark case of Kelo v. City of New of public property or a public facility, such as a London, the Supreme Court of the United States retail establishment on the ground floor of a was asked to rule on the use of eminent domain public building; acquiring abandoned property; to transfer land from one private owner to clearing defective chains of title; taking private another in the interest of economic property for use by a public utility; and development. The case arose from the redevelopment of brownfield sites. condemnation of privately owned real property so that it could be used as part of a Allegheny County has experienced some of this comprehensive redevelopment plan. The Court backlash, but more in its use as a requirement held in a 5-4 decision that the general benefits a for using Tax Increment Financing than for the community enjoyed from economic growth actual taking issue itself. The Pittsburgh Mills qualified such redevelopment plans as a Project, Mt. Nebo Project, and the proposed permissible "public use" under the Takings Deer Creek Crossing Project in Harmar Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The decision Township have met opposition due to the use was widely criticized and the outcome was of TIF monies to support new businesses at the viewed as a gross violation of property rights. expense of existing establishments. Subsequent to this decision, there was widespread outrage across the US. A California In 2006, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania developer, Logan Darrow Clements scooped a amended the Urban Redevelopment Law similar proposal to seize Supreme Court Justice through the passage of Senate Bill 881, and Souter's 'blighted' home in New Hampshire by House Bill 2054 in order to refine the conditions eminent domain in order to build a "Lost Liberty under which a property could be declared Hotel" that would feature a "Just Desserts “blighted” and thus eligible for acquisition Cafe". through eminent domain proceedings and the use of certain incentives associated with this For its part, the federal government made an as designation. The Redevelopment of the Third yet unsuccessful attempt at limiting the use of Ward will need to be undertaken under these eminent domain. The proposed federal new defining characteristics of blight. legislation would prohibit the federal government from exercising eminent domain REDEVELOPMENT AREA power if the only justifying "public use" is economic development; and would impose the The proposed Redevelopment Area is located in same limit on state and local government the Third Ward of the Borough and, more exercise of eminent domain power by making specifically, in the area bounded by Heuser on them ineligible for federal funding. The the north, the Allegheny River on the south, prohibition would not apply where the East Deer Township on the west, and Bull Creek conveyance of property included future public on the east. The Redevelopment Area is mixed ownership, such as for a road, hospital, airport, in character with residential, commercial and or military base; availability to the general industrial land uses intermixed throughout the public as of right, such as a railroad or public area. The area is zoned for the following uses; facility; use as a road or other right of way or means, open to the public for transportation, DISTRICT PERMITTED USES whether free or by toll; for use as an aqueduct, C-1 Commercial flood control facility, pipeline, or similar use; Primarily retail uses, but also removing harmful uses of land provided such professional offices, clubs, uses constitute an immediate threat to public recreation, public buildings and health and safety; leasing property to a private parking person or entity that occupies an incidental part TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 93
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C-2 Commercial The Community Technical Assistance Center Primarily office uses, but also conducted a property survey to gain wholesale, vehicular related, information on property uses, conditions, public buildings and parking architectural details, etc. The condition of the property was rated on a scale of one to five M-1 Manufacturing with one representing a property in the best Light manufacturing, condition. The surveys of the structures in the warehouses, wholesale Redevelopment Area indicate that following distribution, and business and conditions: professional offices NUMBER % of TOTAL TOTAL RD Riverfront Development 1 18.8% 31 Existing dwellings, public recreation, and nature or 2 13.3% 22 wildlife preserves 3 61.8% 102 There are 165 parcels of land in the entire Redevelopment Area comprising a total of 69.7 4 5.5% 9 acres and fall into the following usage categories:. 5 0.6% 1 TOTAL 165
Number % DETERMINATION OF AN AREA IN NEED OF Residential REDEVELOPMENT (BLIGHT) 94 57.7 Commercial A preliminary investigation for a Determination 30 18.4 of an Area in Need of Redevelopment indicates Industrial/Manufacturing that the section of the Third Ward so 6 3.7 designated will not be entirely coterminous Warehouse with the overall Redevelopment Area. As the 4 2.5 primary focus of the Third Ward revitalization is Churches/Non-profit/Associations the redevelopment of the area between 7th and 5 3.1 6th Avenues, efforts were focused on certifying Private R.O.W this area as blighted. After a number of 1 0.6 scenarios were examined, it was determined Utility that this area will qualify as an Area in Need of 1 0.6 Redevelopment under Section 205( c )(1)(i) of Vacant the Commonwealth’s amended Eminent 15 9.2 Domain Code wherein “a majority of the units Boarded of property meet any of the requirements 3 1.8 under subsection (b) and represent a majority Other of the geographical area”. This area includes 4 2.4__ 103 properties containing 881,471 sq ft of land. Total Of this, the properties that meet the definition 163 100.0% of blight contain 468,943 sq ft or 53.2%, or a majority of the area. It appears that at least 52 properties meet at least one of the requirements under subsection (b) and 94 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT 2009-2019 therefore allow this area to be certified as blighted. Once the Comprehensive Plan is Environmental Assessments approved, the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County will need to undertake the Primarily phase 1 and 2 environmental audits actual certification process. although the industrial properties may require additional investigation work. BUDGET Given the proximity of the structures, history The budget for the Redevelopment Plan can be and design, there should be a savings due to the broken down onto three phases: economy of scale in this project. Projected cost is $117,000 ≈ $120,000 Pre-development Site improvement Environmental Remediation Development Some asbestos removal is expected in the The predevelopment activity must, of necessity, residential and mixed-use structures with more be undertaken by the Redevelopment Authority extensive remediation expected in the of Allegheny County. The other phases may be industrial area between 4th Avenue and the conducted by other organizations in Allegheny River. Given the age of the conjunction with RAAC if there are financial or structures, a limited range of environmental technical benefits. The costs included in the problems are expected. predevelopment phase include the following activities: A greater uncertainty is expected in remediating the larger commercial and industrial properties Property Appraisals as well as the land along the riverfront. Expected cost is $785,000 ≈ $800,000 Single family residential $1,000 Acquisition 2-unit residential $1,000 Cost of acquisition of properties consisting of 4-unit residential $2,500 land with structures and vacant land. Based upon the market value indicated on the Small commercial mixed-use $3,500 County’s Real estate website, the acquisition of
all 165 blighted properties at $5,885,590 Larger light industrial property $7,500 ≈ $6,000,000.
Machinery and equipment $1,500-$7,500 Relocation appraisal The cost of relocation and discontinuation of business requires compensation under the Based on the makeup of the 103 properties in Uniform Relocation Act and Pennsylvania Law. the certified area, the estimated cost of The cost for relocating residents is estimated at conducting appraisals is $186,000 ≈ $200,000. $1,300,000
Demolition Cost of demolition of properties as required for new development. Because of the large
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2009-2019 THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT number of smaller residential structures the Redevelopment Area B – Riverfront Light demolition cost is estimated at $2,100,000. Industrial
Site Improvements The area between 4th Avenue and the Allegheny Grading and utilities $275,000.00 River will be acquired in order to serve as the Street and sidewalk installation $1,350,000.00 site of a light industrial park. This area is expected to serve as the site for the relocation Development of two local businesses seeking to expand or Renovation of mixed-use $2,000,000.00 relocate as the result of the Allegheny Together structures (20) Program. The Redevelopment Area is also Construction of new mixed-use $3,000,000.00 further delineated for related incentive structures (20) implementation. Construction of new $1,200,000.00 residential units (100) Tax Increment Financing District Construction of municipal $4,250,000.00 complex including fire station The TIF District will include only the properties ______certified as blighted and include all of Area A1, Total Development $12,075,000.00 B, and a portion of A. The proceeds from the tax increment will help defray the cost of the The cost of the entire Third Ward municipal building and the public infrastructure. Redevelopment Project is estimated at $13,200,000 including a 10% contingency. LERTA District
The Third Ward Redevelopment Area is divided The TIF District will include only those into three subareas for the purpose of future properties in the Redevelopment Area that lie development : outside of the TIF District. The District will include a portion of Area A. A map showing all Redevelopment Area A – Seventh Street districts is inserted as MAP 3. Commercial DESIGN STANDARDS This area will serve as a continuation of the commercial district being revitalized on East 7th The creation of a Redevelopment Plan requires Avenue. design controls to guide rehabilitation and new construction activities. These design controls Redevelopment Area A1 – Mixed- are the best opportunity to incorporate use/Municipal Center sustainable and smart growth concepts into the Borough’s comprehensive plan. There are a This area will predominantly be new number of scenarios that can be gleaned to construction built around a new municipal create a sense of place for Tarentum’s Third center. The area will include a continuation of Ward. the commercial uses along West 7th Avenue and feature mixed-use commercial/residential These scenarios include, but are not limited to: structures along this thoroughfare and a combination of residential for sale and rental Transit Oriented Development housing in the area between 7th Avenue and 6th New Urbanism or Traditional Avenues. Neighborhood Development Green Design
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Transit Oriented Development trackage to accommodate its growing freight traffic. This type of development is represented by the following characteristics: The use of a Transit Oriented Development scenario will therefore be limited to reliance on Walkable design with pedestrian as the Bus Rapid Transit that will utilize Route 28 for highest priority express service to Pittsburgh. While the use of vacant land for park-n-ride lots is not always Train station as prominent feature of seen as desirable, the land under the Tarentum town center Bridge that is currently utilized in this manner has been seen in a positive light. A number of local merchants have reported increased sales A regional node containing a mixture of to shoppers who noticed the stores when uses in close proximity including office, waiting for public transit. residential, retail, and civic uses
New Urbanism or Traditional Neighborhood High density, high-quality development Development within 10-minute walk circle
surrounding train station The New Urbanism movement advocates planning that is based on Collector support transit systems design standards from the heyday of including trolleys, streetcars, light rail, urban development. It supports and buses, etc neighborhoods that are diverse in use
‘and population and communities that Designed to include the easy use of are designed for pedestrian, transit and bicycles, scooters, and rollerblades as automobile transportation. This school daily support transportation systems of design has the following thirteen
elements: Reduced and managed parking inside
10-minute walk circle around town The neighborhood has a discernible center/train station center, which can be a square or a green. A transit stop would be located While the Borough is currently split by Norfolk at this center. Southern Railroad tracks, there appears to be little opportunity for utilization of the right-of- Most of the dwellings are within a five- way for commuter rail service to the city of minute walk of the center or an average Pittsburgh. There has been previous discussion of roughly 1/4 mile. of this prospect, but recent efforts have supported this service on the Allegheny Valley There are a variety of dwelling types . Railroad on the opposite side of the Allegheny River. The inability to use the Norfolk Southern At the edge of the neighborhood there track became apparent as the Pennsylvania are a variety of shops and offices. Department of Transportation attempted to negotiate with the Norfolk Southern for a A small ancillary building or garage portion of its right-of-way to allow the widening apartment is permitted within the of Route 28. The railroad objected on the basis backyard of each house. that it needed the right-of-way to expand its
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An elementary school is close enough so Prominent sites at the termination of that most children can walk from their street vistas or in the neighborhood home. center are reserved for civic buildings.
There are playgrounds accessible to The neighborhood is organized to be every dwelling. self-governing.
Streets within the neighborhood form a Smart Growth and Green Design connected network, which provide a variety of pedestrian and vehicular The US Department of Environmental routes to any destination. Protection and the Green Building Alliance are still in the process of formalizing their The streets are relatively narrow and guidelines to support development at the shaded by rows of trees in order to community level. Both organizations support “calm” traffic. sustainable approaches to development and focus on the reduction of energy usage as well Buildings in the neighborhood center as the demand for limited natural resources. are placed close to the street While community level guidelines are not available, LEED certification for the design of Parking lots and garage doors rarely the proposed municipal building will help front the street. Parking is relegated to reduce the cost of heating, cooling and lighting. the rear of buildings, usually accessed The use of a green roof similar to the Chicago by alleys. municipal building can reduce water runoff and help the Borough comply with the EPA Consent Decree relative to the Upper Allegheny Valley Sanitary Authority.
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The City of Chicago City Hall features a green A sample site plan showing a possible roof with rooftop gardens. While the Tarentum development scenario is included as municipal building will obviously not be as large Attachment 4. as the facility in Chicago either in area or in height, a facility designed to the local scale can While the selected developer(s) will ultimately provide more public access and serve as a bear the responsibility for financing the project, signature facility for the Borough. the initial predevelopment activity will be the responsibility of the Redevelopment Authority REDEVELOPMENT DESIGN STANDARDS of Allegheny County, Tarentum Borough, and the Redcat Redevelopment and Revitalization Because of the need to provide for a mix of Corporation. Actual financing packages will be different land uses and design standards it is developed in consultation with the appropriate recommended that the Borough amend its funding agencies. Potential funding sources are Zoning Ordinance to change the zoning shown for informational purposes and include: classification of the Redevelopment Area or create a special overlay district. While the SP – American Recovery and Reinvestment Special Planned District allows for a mix of uses, Act of 2009 its coverage and setback requirements are not Community Development Block Grant consistent with New Urbanism and Smart (CDBG) Growth principles. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rather than prepare specific design guidelines, Rural Community Assistance we would propose the establishment of a set of Partnership (RCAP) criteria that potential developers must balance DCED Urban Development Program with the economic feasibility of the project to DCED Community Revitalization produce the optimum development for all Program parties that are involved. These criteria include, DCED Community Infrastructure & but are not limited to: Tourism Fund (CITF) Allegheny County Tax Increment Housing costs – both sale and rent Financing (TIF) Rental cost for commercial space Allegheny County Tax revenue Highlands School District Energy consumption Tarentum Borough Water consumption Local Economic Revitalization Tax Act Variances required from applicable (LERTA) regulations Allegheny County Impact on municipality and school district Highlands School District Incentives required Tarentum Borough Business Percent of green space to total project Improvement District area Tarentum Businesses Percent of parking to total project area Per cent of permeable surface to total project area Carbon footprint Project ownership/management
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COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REVITALIZATION 2009-2019
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REVITALIZATION
In older urban communities, the survival of the commercial district(s) is a key component in the development of the local economy. Businesses in the district provide jobs for local residents and are usually a major source of revenue both in terms of real estate and mercantile taxes. Business owners also provide support to local organizations and charities both in terms of monetary donations as well as lending their time.
The information produced from Tarentum’s Allegheny Together Program will not only serve as a framework for the local commercial revitalization effort; but also, as a critical piece of the required documentation for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and economic development’s Main Street program should the Borough choose to seek that designation.
Due to the creation of the Allegheny Together Program by the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, the planning efforts for Tarentum’s primary business district are being conducted separately from the Comprehensive Planning effort. The Allegheny Together Program was conceived to revitalize central business districts in the County’s municipalities utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to assist community-based groups in organizational development, grant writing, data collection, planning and project implementation. This program is administered by several consultants seeking to reface and redesign building exteriors, while bringing clients interested in establishing their business in these refurbished sites.
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INTRODUCTION use that do not comply with the Borough’s land use plan must be approved by the Borough’s This section describes the strategy used in the Zoning Hearing Board which ultimately development of the Borough of Tarentum’s recommends these zoning changes to the Land Use Plan. The Borough of Tarentum’s Borough Council for their approval. Based upon Land Use Plan development strategy included the approval of Borough Council, changes to the analysis of historic information, knowledge and land use plan are approved with the exception analysis of current issues, identification of of all future subdivision responsibilities, which trends and conditions, vision for the future must be approved by Allegheny County. acquired through the community involvement process and the survey results gathered in 2006. INCORPORATION OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Given the historical trends associated with the Borough’s land use and anticipated future The goals and objectives outlined below are the growth scenario, the plan’s recommendation guiding principles of the planning process. The for future development growth will rely heavily goals and objectives were based on the direct upon smart growth principles applied to input of residents, property owners and the existing land use. The Borough’s future land 2006 survey results of residents and business use growth will be based upon smart growth owners in the community as the following: principles in zoning, subdivision planning and land development ordinances; as it provides 1) Housing Strategies communities with a framework to make 2) Business Strategies informed decisions about how and where they grow. Through the adoption of regulations and TARENTUM LAND USE GOALS standards that foster mix land uses, compact building design, diverse housing opportunities The Borough’s land use goals represent a range and choices, walkable neighborhoods, attractive of initiatives which can be used to maintain the communities, open space, sensitive present land use plan and support future environmental protection, infill development, opportunities for development in the Borough. transportation options, and efficient approval The two primary goals of the Borough’s Land processes with community input in these Use plan are as follows: decisions; smart growth makes it possible for the Borough to grow in ways that support economic development and jobs, create strong 1. To update the existing zoning ordinance to neighborhoods with a broad range of housing, be compatible with the current needs of commercial and transportation choices to businesses and residential facilities. achieve a healthy, vibrant and diverse community for residents of the community. 2. To educate Borough council, the planning commission and responsible Borough staff with the tools available to them within the REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES existing zoning ordinance.
Maintenance and updating of Borough’s land use plan falls under the responsibility of the Planning Commission. This responsibility is granted to them through the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Any changes in
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ORGANIZATION OF THE PLAN promotes the uniqueness of the Borough and its identifiable sense of place. This part of the comprehensive plan is organized into three sections. The first section FUTURE LAND USE SCENARIO provides an overview and historic context of the Borough’s current land use development The future land use scenario is a conceptual plan; the second scenario describes a possible guide for establishing policy regulating the future development plan, and the third growth management and development outlines recommendations to enhance the practices that have been established through character of the existing and future land uses. the comprehensive planning process. The recommendations provide policy The Borough’s Land Use Plan should be recommendations for developing a range of compatible with the land use plan and zoning planning concepts and possible changes to of neighboring communities and any Strategic land uses in the Borough. Plan for the Highlands School District These concepts include a recommendation for The future land use scenario described below two possible changes in the current land use was developed as a result of synthesizing the plan. elements of the SWOT analysis. The first strategy includes the demolition of OVERVIEW existing residential and commercial property along the West 7th Street area corridor that Overall, the future land use scenario reflects would warrant a change in land use to either a the Borough’s intent to define acceptable new zoning district or overlay district. design standards for new development and to retrofit the existing development pattern by The second strategy would include the focusing on future development and adaptive redevelopment and development of property reuse projects that contribute to a more located along the Allegheny Riverfront. The livable community. It is the intent of the future land use scenario would include access Borough to balance that development by to the riverfront, regional trail development retaining the natural features and historic and/or recreation opportunities, and the resources of Borough. promotion of tourism related businesses.
Given that the Borough’s current land use has been well established it is recommended that the historic pattern of land use development should be maintained and followed unless there are good reasons for changing the current land use scenario. This is not to indicate that there may not be possible changes to the Borough’s future land use development strategy based upon opportunities that may present themselves to the community. It is recommended however that the Borough, wherever feasible, support and promote a future land use scenario that
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RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE THE facade treatment program, providing CHARACTER OF THE EXISTING AND FUTURE adequate signage to the commercial LAND USE OF THE BOROUGH districts and riverfront, and providing other streetscape improvements. This section provides recommendations on a series of strategies that will enhance the Maintain the community quality and present and future land use character that can character and provide adequate public be applied to achieve the vision for the facilities and services. Borough of Tarentum. Develop specific design standards fop The land use recommendations include adaptive reuse and infill projects in key the following: commercial areas.
1) Growth Management Objectives Expand pedestrian activity by providing sidewalks that promote internal 2) Housing and Neighborhood Objectives walkways to and from the First and Third Wards. 3) Community Facilities and Service Objectives Encourage innovative and orderly 4) Transportation and Parking Objectives development of vacant areas.
5) Commercial District Objectives Demolish abandoned buildings utilizing Allegheny County’s Vacant Property 6) Economic Development Objectives Review Program
GROWTH MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES Maintain and expand upon the industrial and commercial tax base. The Growth Management Objectives describe the physical nature of land use planning and Continue to support proactive planning should be used to guide future growth, practices and the education of the development and redevelopment of the Borough staff, boards, commissions and Borough of Tarentum. council on the intent of the Borough’s zoning ordinance. Recommendations:
Facilitate balanced development by HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD updating the existing zoning ordinance OBJECTIVES where appropriate, and develop a process for the continuous updating of Recommendations: the land use control ordinances to ensure adequacy of the provisions. Promote the residential integrity of the existing neighborhoods by enforcing the Reverse the negative visual impacts of building, housing and maintenance codes the West Seventh Avenue Commercial of the Borough. Corridor by promoting landscaping, a
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Restrict residential parking in renovated Promote, support and develop a joint multi-family housing units. municipal facility in the Third Ward.
Control the density of affordable housing in Continue to support intergovernmental the Borough. cooperation with the provision of emergency services, police and fire Promote and foster the redevelopment of protection. neighborhoods and upgrade areas in the borough that are experiencing decline. An Annually update the Borough’s Capital action plan should be developed by the Improvement Program. Redcat Redevelopment and Revitalization Corporation and the Borough of Tarentum Encourage and support recreation for future action, which should include planning efforts in the Borough. involving the citizens of the Borough in the decision making process and to explore TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING possible public and private financial OBJECTIVES assistance programs to advance this initiative. Recommendations:
Promote and support the development and Address parking issues in the Borough’s redevelopment of recreational areas that commercial district. can be integrated into future residential areas. Develop a plan of action to provide for
adequate access to the Borough’s Continue to support proactive planning Keystone Opportunity Zone. practices and the education of the Borough staff, boards, commissions and council on Promote the use of public the intent of the Borough’s housing and transportation services for the residents neighborhood plan. of the community.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICE Develop a program to beautify the OBJECTIVES Borough’s main entrance corridors.
Recommendations: Proactively work with PennDOT and neighboring communities to promote Promote and support intergovernmental, the development of a Route 28 Corridor public and private cooperation including Coalition to help promote the livability the Highland School District and of the Borough and access to the City of surrounding communities. Pittsburgh.
Promote and support recreation planning Implement a signage initiative that efforts in the Borough including riverfront provides adequate warning to vehicular planning initiatives including efforts by traffic to slow down before the New Allegheny County with the regional Kensington Bridge at Route 366 and riverfront trail development plan. West Seventh Avenue. This can serve as a traffic calming measure.
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Implement a signage program off of the Promote local business efforts that New Kensington Bridge to promote the contribute to the uniqueness of the Borough’s marina and riverfront. Borough.
Maintain the local roadway system. Secure adequate funding for improvements in areas of need Develop various modes of public and including innovative funding and grant private transportation that is responsive programs that support business to cyclists, pedestrians, and river development efforts in the community. transportation.
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT OBJECTIVES
The commercial business district land use plan was prepared by Town Center Associates. The commercial plan is not part of this comprehensive plan but should be
made available for public review and comment with subsequent approval of the Commercial District Plan by Borough Council.
Recommendations:
Recommendations for the Commercial Land Use Plan were prepared by Town Center Associates.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
Recommendations:
Support the attraction of businesses that add to the quality of life and increase the economic tax base of the Borough.
Build upon the locational advantage of and access of the community to Route 28, the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 80.
Promote and market the Borough through initiatives of Pride in Tarentum.
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INTRODUCTION TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING
The term “infrastructure” has become the The Transportation and Parking Plan will new buzzword of this decade and is likely to serve as a guide for transportation and remain so through a large part of the 21st parking projects and priorities in the century. While the need for infrastructure Borough of Tarentum. It allows the repair and replacement has been a Borough to check its bearings by longstanding topic of economic discussion, reassessing the transportation needs and the issue moved to the forefront as the prioritizing the projects and programs that result of the collapse of the Interstate 35W will set the agenda for the Borough over the Bridge over the Mississippi River in next 10 years. Upon completion of the Minneapolis during the evening rush hour priority or projects the Borough will be in August, 2007. Closer to home, the prepared to update the Comprehensive collapse of an overpass in Washington Plan. In addition, the projects that come County in 2005 triggered increased vigilance out of the Transportation and Parking Plan from the Pennsylvania Department of will ensure residents that Borough and staff Transportation. Although less obvious are “on-track” to complete these important because of its background nature, the projects. fragility of the nation’s electrical grid system was made all too obvious by the great New York blackout and the more recent power outages experienced in a large part of the nation’s northeast.
The construction and maintenance of public infrastructure is an issue as old as the idea of government itself. Starting with the provision of water, infrastructure evolved through roadways, river and rail to electrical distribution in the late 1800s. The creation of the internet and its rapid deployment not only expanded the Future funding decisions for important definition of infrastructure; but also, the projects granted by the Commonwealth of speed at which communities must adapt to Pennsylvania to its communities are being their use of changing technology. made by the respective project funding agencies based on a community’s vision, which is embodied in a Comprehensive Plan.
Tarentum’s Transportation and Parking Plan recommends investments in multi-modal forms of transportation that include transit, park and ride, parking structures, commuter train, pedestrian friendly access by filling in the gaps between portions of the community, maintenance of Borough streets, river transportation and automobile
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and trail development as part of Allegheny Borough with achieving their long-term County’s Riverfront Trail Network; all with goals. an emphasis on safety. INCORPORATION OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In addition, the Transportation and Parking Plan emphasizes travel for residents of the
Borough to economic development opportunities in the City of Pittsburgh, and The plan began with a refinement of the regional market opportunities for Tarentum transportation and parking goals and businesses that can deliver their goods and objectives. The transportation goals and services to other businesses by way of the objectives were based on the direct input of Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 28 and access residents, property owners and the 2007 to Route 80. The primary goal is to survey results of residents and business encourage transportation improvements owners in the community. The goals and that increase access to jobs, services and objectives were synthesized by Third Sector the movement of goods from the Borough Development and refined by the Borough of Tarentum to other regional and national Manager for this document. In developing markets. the transportation goals and objectives the Borough of Tarentum held three public Since Tarentum does not have the financial meetings to enlist comments from residents capacity to advance many of these and business owners to establish the important projects, the plan also Transportation and Parking Goals of the encourages the Borough to work with other plan. federal, state, local and regional agencies and private funding sources to support TARENTUM’S TRANSPORTATION AND these important initiatives. PARKING GOALS
Finally, the Transportation and Parking Plan Coordinate transportation and encourages the coordination of the Goals land use planning. and Objectives of the Land Use component of the Comprehensive Plan. Planning Investigate opportunities for a sub- transportation improvements without regional transit system to provide taking into consideration land use is connections to the Borough from counterproductive and will not assist the
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Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland that will go through the Borough of County. Tarentum.
Take advantage of the proximity of the Develop a pedestrian pathway major highway network including the between First and Third Wards with Pennsylvania Turnpike and Route 28. connections to promote linkages The Borough should work with between the business district and neighboring municipalities, Allegheny residential area. Valley Council of Government, and Armstrong County to form a Route 28 Corridor Coalition.
Work with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Allegheny County and Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to advance the development of an industrial access road for the development of the Borough’s Keystone Opportunity Zone.
Initiate a residential parking permit program to limit parking on residential streets and to construct parking spaces Work with Port Authority of Allegheny that decreases curb wear and County in seeking out Park N Ride maintenance. opportunities that promote Transit
Oriented Development and mixed use development. Develop a parking facility for commercial businesses and to balance the development of the facility with Collaborate with the Westmoreland green space to promote the aesthetics County Transit Authority on advancing of the community. the commuter rail service from the City
of Greensburg to the City of Pittsburgh. Promote the Borough’s two major entrance corridors: New Kensington The Borough should advocate the Bridge and Route 366. These access alignment of the commuter rail service points provide an important gateway to the community. The Borough should
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increase the use of signage along these premise of safe access for all users. These major access points to promote the users include pedestrians, bicyclists, riverfront and marina, and at the same motorists and transit riders. Complete time the business and commercial Streets tend to support adjacent districts. populations that are not only more diverse, but also more equitable. Current transportation statistics estimate that 1/3 of the population does not drive. Not having access to a vehicle not only limits long distance travel, but can also affect those who live in close proximity to necessary destinations. Poor planning decisions that have separated neighborhoods from jobs centers or commercial districts in the name of increased automobile access are unfortunately common.
Promote the secondary entrance corridor of West Seventh Avenue. Improvements along this important corridor should serve to promote the Borough as a desirable place to do businesses, promote pedestrian linkages for commercial businesses, and include
landscaping enhancements to promote Complete Streets can allow contiguous land the “small town look” of the Borough. use patterns that are more diverse,
sustainable, and equitable. They can also be Collaborate with the Port of Pittsburgh used to create a sense of place that results Commission on promoting the in desirability as a choice of residence, Allegheny River water way increased economic value and community transportation and to seek economic involvement. Implementation strategies development opportunities for the that result from this planning document are industrial properties along the strongly encouraged. Allegheny Valley.
UTILITIES Maintain the Borough’s roadway
network to promote bicycle In some cases, municipal governments, opportunities for residents of the either through active role or the default of Borough as a feasible commuting private utility providers, have taken a alternative and an everyday source of proactive role that has not only provided recreation. lifeline services to their constituents; but
also provided an alternative source of One model that should be utilized in revenue to their coffers. implementing this plan is the concept of
Complete Streets, which is based on the
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The Tennessee Valley Authority is perhaps these devices. Consideration should also be the most prominent example of given to “life line” rates for senior citizens. governmental involvement in infrastructure development in the absence of private SEWERAGE participants. Starting as a flood control and electric power generator, it now provides Operator - Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary economic development assistance to the Authority (primary) communities in its operational area. Operator - Fawn Township Sewage Locally, Tarentum provides both water and Authority electric service to its residents and the systems also provide a financial return to The Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary the Borough beyond its normal tax base. Authority provides wastewater treatment for the majority of Tarentum Borough. The Fawn Township Sewage Authority provides services for six residential properties located on the north side of Route 28. The Upper Allegheny Joint Sanitary Authority and the municipalities that it serves are currently under orders from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency consent decree to address problems with storm and sanitary sewer systems to prevent the sewage treatment plant from being overwhelmed during heavy storms and
discharging raw sewage into the river.
WATER
Owner/Operator - Tarentum Borough
Tarentum currently owns and operates its own water utility. There are 1,715 residential, 194 commercial and 14 government metered users of the municipal water system. A number of items are included in the Capital Improvement Budget as recommendations in regard to this utility. Unfortunately, water conservation is an issue of major concern only when The EPA consent order requires the drought conditions require the imposition municipalities in the Authority’s service of restrictions on its use. At the same, the area to map all sewer lines and designate loss of revenue due to conservation does whether they are a combined sewer or a not help the bottom line of water providers. single sewer line. Once they are mapped Encouraging low cost conservation the Borough will then use a remote control measures such as restriction flow devices camera to determine if the sewers need on showers and low flow toilets may be repairs. encouraged by reduced plumbing fees on
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Compliance with the consent decree will require the municipalities that utilize the Use of pervious concrete for services of the Upper Allegheny Joint infrastructure, especially permeable Sanitary Authority to comply with the EPA's alleys to reduce runoff (Third Ward Nine Minimum Controls as follows: Redevelopment)
Proper operation and regular Use of green roofs on major maintenance programs for the structures to reduce runoff (new sewer system and the Combined municipal building) Sewer Overflows (CSOs) ELECTRICAL SERVICE Maximum use of the collection system for storage Operator - Redcat Power/Tarentum Borough
Review and modification of The Borough currently serves as the pretreatment requirements to Electrical Distributor Service (EDS) for all assure CSO impacts are minimized electricity consumers within its municipal
boundaries under the name of Redcat Maximization of flow to the publicly Power. In return for agreeing to limit its owned treatment works for distribution to within the Borough, treatment Tarentum does not need to open its system to competition from other electrical service Prohibition of CSOs during dry providers. Statewide in Pennsylvania, 35 weather municipalities, including Tarentum, own their own electrical companies. The Control of solid and floatable ownership opens some interesting materials in CSOs possibilities for the Borough. By increasing efficiency and/or generating its own power, Pollution prevention the Borough can control the cost of electricity to its residents. Not only can the residents/customers benefit from Public notification to ensure that competitive rates; but also, the utility can the public receives adequate provide the Borough with an additional notification of CSO occurrences and source of revenue that can reduce local CSO impacts taxes and thus create secondary savings.
The Borough purchases its electricity from Monitoring to effectively PPL Energy Plus. The utility has 1978 characterize CSO impacts and the operational residential meters and 313 efficacy of CSO controls commercial meters. Currently, electric power is brought into the Borough at six Tarentum should seek to incorporate separate metering points making alternative practices to reduce its CSOs and monitoring difficult. In order to improve thus reduce its share of the costs for system efficiency, the Borough should make compliance with the EPA consent decree. every effort to minimize the number of These alternatives include, but are not interconnection metering points with its limited to: supplier from six to two as part of an overall
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“smart grid” strategy. The adoption of a NATURAL GAS smart grid system would also: Operator – Equitable
Ensure reliability of the electrical system The natural gas distribution system in Tarentum Borough is owned by Equitable Gas Company. With the deregulation of Maintain affordability laws related to energy utilities, natural gas
customers can now benefit from Accommodate renewable and “unbundling” and the ability to choose a traditional energy sources separate supplier of gas from the company that transports it. The implementation of Reduce the Borough’s carbon energy efficient building codes can reduce footprint utility costs in the same fashion that they would for those who use electrical energy. Introduce advancements and efficiencies not currently available CABLE TV
Another component of this strategy would Operator - Comcast be to complete the conversion of the electric/water meters throughout the Comcast currently provides the Borough’s Borough to allow remote monitoring. residents with cable television service. The Where possible, the installation of “smart Borough should consider utilizing cable meters” will allow for more timely and television to broadcast Council meetings to accurate meter reading at a reduced cost allow more residents to view the local and fraction of the time and expense under political process in action. a manual reading system. The system can also be used to monitor power usage to TRASH COLLECTION AND RECYCLING allow users to monitor their own energy usage and permit ancillary data collection. Operator – Waste Management Inc. Early adoption of smart grid system may allow the Borough to take advantage of Municipal trash collection services are State incentives for this activity. provided by Waste Management Inc. under contract to the municipality. The Borough As discussed in the Keystone Opportunity also recently reinstituted its recycling Zone section of this plan, the Borough is in a program after the market for recyclables unique position to not only distribute, but stabilized. also generate its own power. By developing a fuel cell generation facility in the KOZ, Tarentum will not only be able to comply with the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act 213 of 2004; but also, be in a Position to profit from assisting other utilities to comply with the Act.
TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 115
2009-2019 INFRASTRUCTURE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Wi-Fi SERVICE California, it was determined that the network is comprised of three distinct user Owner/Operator – None populations: modem, smart phone, and hotspot which display the following The current rage in infrastructure is the characteristics: installation of wireless Internet access, or Wi-Fi, as an incentive to visit or live in urban Modem areas. New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia are among approximately 300 Modem users are static, normally always cities seeking to go wireless. The connected, and place the highest demand deployment of Wi-Fi is not only an incentive on the network. The deployment of Wi-Fi to businesses, but can also provide an will have little if any impact on this alternative to costly Internet access to less segment. financially capable populations. Wireless service is cheaper, more reliable and allows Hotspot even the most remote rural areas to log in less expensively than by laying down These users are concentrated in commercial extensive networks of cables, not to and public areas. Therefore, we mention the work and time involved. recommend that any public Wi-Fi initially be When Philadelphia announced its plans to established in the Borough’s proposed Main deploy a wireless broadband network in Street District along East Sixth and East June of 2005 and charge subscribers to use Seventh Avenues. Once redevelopment it, private broadband providers reacted by activity is complete in the Third Ward area lobbying for the passage of Pennsylvania and the new municipal center is completed, House Bill 30, a legislative act that gave the service can be extended to the West incumbent local carriers the right to keep Seventh Avenue area. local governments from setting up paid services like Philadelphia's after Jan. 1, Smartphone 2006. While early versions of the bill banned local governments from offering As this is most associated with transit broadband services for pay, the version riders, Tarentum should investigate any finally signed into law allowed existing expanded needs of the Port Authority and services to continue and gave local other telecommunication service providers governments a one-year window to develop for use of the Borough’s three them. After that time, governments in communication towers along Route 28. Pennsylvania were banned from wireless deployment unless they offer a right of first refusal to local broadband providers and obtain written waivers to this effect. While the City of Pittsburgh currently enjoys a wireless system in its central business district under the auspices of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, the plethora of alternative access technologies, and the long-term economic feasibility of metropolitan networks appears uncertain. In a recent study of a Wi-Fi network in
116 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
COMPATIBILITY WITH CONTIGUOUS MUNICIPALITIES 2009-2019
THE ROLE OF COMPATIBILITY
When developing a plan for future land use, it is Many of the municipalities share the same important to consider the zoning and land use “fingerprint” as Tarentum – former industrial, practices of surrounding municipalities. One densely developed communities which have should determine whether the plans a experienced a decline in population and municipality is drafting match or compliment industry, but are currently making marked the use of plans in adjacent areas; as well as the strides in their rebuilding efforts. Those rural strategic plan for the local school district. municipalities which surround Tarentum would Complimentary regional uses benefit the entire reap a residual benefit from any successful region economically, and enable adjacent revitalization of their urban neighbors. While municipalities to work together to attract the urban areas may experience infill and businesses and residents. Tarentum is redevelopment success, rural outlying areas surrounded by five municipalities in Allegheny may experience new development, such as the County, and two municipalities across the river Galleria and Village at Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer in Westmoreland County. Tarentum is served Township. exclusively by the Highlands School District.
MUNICIPALITY OR DISTRICT COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE OR STRATEGIC PLAN Brackenridge Borough Allegheny Currently in progress East Deer Township Allegheny Yes Fawn Township Allegheny Yes Frazer Township Allegheny Yes Harrison Township Allegheny Yes Lower Burrell Township Westmoreland Yes The City of New Kensington Westmoreland Yes Highlands School District Allegheny Strategic Plan
TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 117
2009-2019 COMPATIBILITY WITH CONTIGUOUS MUNICIPALITIES
NOTES
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118 TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
The Borough of Tarentum currently defines a Capital Improvement Project as a purchase or project that:
Costs the Borough $4,000 or more Is a one-time expenditure Has a service life of at least three years Directly impacts the fixed assets infrastructure, or vital equipment owned by the Borough
The collective determination as to whether a not a project ultimately qualifies to be included in the Borough’s Capital Improvement Plan results from
A suggestion by a Department Manager and subsequent confirmation by the Borough Manager A discovery by the Borough Manager, and confirmation by a Department Manager
A project proposal form has been in use by the Borough since 1999, and will continue to be utilized during the course of this 2009-2019 plan.
Capital Improvement Projects are scored and ranked against the following criteria:
Public health, safety and welfare Availability of Financing Aesthetic Impacts Percentage of population served Economic development impacts
Project urgency is determined by the following Rating Score:
ESSENTIAL (30-24 points) – This ranking contains projects of the highest priority to the Borough. Examples of Essential projects are projects that are required to complete or make fully useable a major public improvement; projects which would remedy a condition that is dangerous to the health, welfare and safety of the public; and projects which would provide facilities for a critically needed community program.
DESIRABLE (23-16 points) – This ranking contains projects that are a secondary priority to the Borough. Examples of desirable projects are projects that benefit the community and projects whose validity and timing have been established.
ACCEPTABLE (15-8 points) – This ranking contains projects which are noticeably in need of completion, but are not urgent or faced with a mandatory or advisable deadline. Examples of acceptable projects are those that are planned, but not absolutely required by the community if budget reductions are necessary.
DEFERRABLE (7-0 points) – These projects are labeled as low priorities, or were formerly suggested and have been determined to be unneeded, inadequate in scope, or improperly timed.
1
Tarentum Borough Capital Improvement Projects
2009-2019
Police Department…………..…………………………3-17
Public Works and Property Department…..…..…...18-24
Water Distribution Department...…………..…….....25-41
Water Treatment Department…..…………..……… 42-56
2
POLICE
DEPARTMENT
3
Tarentum Borough Capital Improvement Projects 2009-2019 Police Department
TOTAL PRICE PROJECT POLICE DEPARTMENT RATING COMPLETION CATEGORY YEARLY EXPENSES YEARLY EXPENSES CATEGORY PHASE COST THIS PHASE PROJECT PROJECT RANK COMPLETED YEAR PROJECT SCORE YEAR SUBTOTAL PROJECTED ACTUAL PRICE COMPLETED 2009 Unmarked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $0 (grant) 17 DESIRABLE $0 $0 2009 Records Management System Police Station 1 of 1 $0 $0 (cty) 20 DESIRABLE 2009 County Wide Dispatch Police Station 1 of 1 $0 $0 (cty) 20 DESIRABLE $0 $0 2010 In-Station Computer System Police Station 1 of 1 $25,000 $0 (COPS) 15 ACCEPTABLE $0 $0 2010 Marked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $25,000 20 DESIRABLE Video Camera and VCRs 2010 Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $30,000 $0 (COPS) 13 ACCEPTABLE $25,000 $25,000 for Police Vehicles 2011 Marked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $25,000 20 DESIRABLE $25,000 $25,000 2013 In-Vehicle Computer System Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $19,000 $0 (COPS) 15 ACCEPTABLE 2013 Marked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $25,000 20 DESIRABLE 2013 Upgrade Tactical Gear Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $15,000 $0 grant $25,000 $25,000 2015 Marked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $25,000 20 DESIRABLE $25,000 $25,000 2017 Marked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $25,000 20 DESIRABLE $25,000 $25,000 2019 Marked Police Vehicle Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $25,000 $25,000 20 $25,000 $25,000
$150,000
4
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2009
Project Unmarked Police Vehicle
Description Purchase an unmarked police vehicle
Justification The Police Department needs to replace its unmarked vehicle to support investigations, surveillance, and traffic enforcement. This purchase will maintain officers’ ability to be versatile in their daily operations.
Estimated Cost none
Possible Funding Congressman John Murtha’s Homeland Security grant Source
Total Rating 17 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
5
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2009
Project Records Management System
Description Establish a new records management system that interfaces with Allegheny County
Justification This new records management system would interface with the county and other police departments in Allegheny County. This system will be use to provide information on and track criminals.
Estimated Cost none
Possible Funding Allegheny County Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE It is anticipated that this project will be implemented in 2009.
6
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2009
Project County-Wide Computer Dispatch
Description Join the county-wide computer dispatch system, eliminating the need to release information over the dispatch radio to the general public.
Justification The county is instituting a dispatch system that will link all municipalities together and protect the integrity of dispatches by keeping the transactions private.
Estimated Cost Allegheny County has secured $13 million toward the project.
Possible Funding Allegheny County Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE It is anticipated that this project could begin in 2009.
7
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2010
Project Vehicle Replacement
Description Phased triannual vehicle replacement
Justification Patrol vehicles take a lot of wear and tear and average 1,000 to 1,200 miles per week. Replacing a vehicle every three years helps to maintain a dependable fleet of vehicles.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Capital Equipment Fund Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE Each of 4 police vehicles will be replaced at an interval of one every three years.
8
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2010
Project In-Station Computer System
Description Purchase of an in-station computer system that has a main server with access to in-vehicle computers and four additional computers to be used by police officers.
Justification The computer system is used for filing police reports, investigations, and record keeping. A new system was purchased in 2005, and must be upgraded.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Included in COPS Grant Application Source
Total Rating 15 Score
Rank Acceptable
UPDATE
9
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2010
Project Video Camera and VCRs for all Police Vehicles
Description Purchase and install video cameras and VCRs for three marked police vehicles.
Justification Installing cameras in all police vehicles will increase officer safety and protect the Police Department against liability suits.
Estimated Cost $30,000
Possible Funding COPS Grant, State of PA Single Application Source
Total Rating 13 Score
Rank Acceptable
UPDATE Need to replace unit received in 2005
10
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2011
Project Vehicle Replacement
Description Phased triannual vehicle replacement
Justification Patrol vehicles take a lot of wear and tear and average 1,000 to 1,200 miles per week. Replacing a vehicle every three years helps to maintain a dependable fleet of vehicles.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Capital Equipment Fund Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
11
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2013
Project Vehicle Replacement
Description Phased triannual vehicle replacement
Justification Patrol vehicles take a lot of wear and tear and average 1,000 to 1,200 miles per week. Replacing a vehicle every three years helps to maintain a dependable fleet of vehicles.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Capital Equipment Fund Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE It is uncertain at which intervals marked cars vs unmarked cars are being replaced.
12
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2013
Project In-Vehicle Computer System
Description Purchase an In-Vehicle Computer System to be installed in three marked vehicles and one unmarked vehicle.
Justification An in-vehicle computer system will allow continual contact between the officer and the dispatch center. It will also enhance police officer safety and provide officers with immediate access to information about dangerous criminals.
Estimated Cost $15,000
Possible Funding Included in COPS Grant Application Source
Total Rating 15 Score
Rank Acceptable
UPDATE This purchase is part of a phased replacement of systems last purchased in 2007.
13
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2013
Project Upgrade Tactical Gear
Description Purchase new tactical gear for the Tarentum Borough police officers at a cost of $1,500 per officer, plus one reserve gear for part time officer. One gear set includes vest, helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.
Justification Tactical gear is continuously upgraded to reflect current maximum protection standards and reduce likelihood of injury to an officer due to wear and inefficacy. The last grant for tactical gear awarded to the Borough police department in 2006 is only good for seven years
Estimated Cost $15,000
Possible Funding Grant Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
14
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2015
Project Vehicle Replacement
Description Phased triannual vehicle replacement
Justification Patrol vehicles take a lot of wear and tear and average 1,000 to 1,200 miles per week. Replacing a vehicle every three years helps to maintain a dependable fleet of vehicles.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Capital Equipment Fund Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
15
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2017
Project Vehicle Replacement
Description Phased triannual vehicle replacement
Justification Patrol vehicles take a lot of wear and tear and average 1,000 to 1,200 miles per week. Replacing a vehicle every three years helps to maintain a dependable fleet of vehicles.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Capital Equipment Fund Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
16
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Police
Project Year 2019
Project Vehicle Replacement
Description Phased triannual vehicle replacement
Justification Patrol vehicles take a lot of wear and tear and average 1,000 to 1,200 miles per week. Replacing a vehicle every three years helps to maintain a dependable fleet of vehicles.
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Capital Equipment Fund Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
17
PUBLIC WORKS AND PROPERTY
DEPARTMENT
18
Tarentum Borough Capital Improvement Projects 2009-2019
PROJECT PUBLIC WORKS AND TOTAL PROJECT PRICE PHASE RATING COMPLETION CATEGORY YEARLY EXPENSES YEARLY EXPENSES CATEGORY PHASE COST THIS PHASE RANK COMPLETED YEAR PROPERTY PRICE COMPLETED SCORE DATE SUBTOTAL PROJECTED ACTUAL 2009 Center Street Street Projects 1 of 1 $47,000 $47,000 25 ESSENTIAL $47,000 $47,000 2014 Resurface W. 10th Avenue Street Projects 1 of 1 $40,000 $40,000 22 DESIRABLE $40,000 $40,000 2015 Replace Park Sidewalks Street Projects 1 of 1 $20,000 $20,000 $15,000 30 ESSENTIAL $15,000 $15,000 2016 Resurface Butler Street Street Projects 1 of 1 $22,000 $22,000 13 ACCEPTABLE $22,000 $22,000 2019 Resurface Ormond Street Street Projects 1 of 1 $30,000 $30,000 13 ACCEPTABLE $30,000 $30,000 $154,000
19
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Public Works and Property
Project Year 2009
Project Resurfacing of Center Street
Description Milling and asphalt resurfacing of Center Street from West 6th Avenue to West 10th Avenue.
Justification This road is a truck route and is heavily traveled. It will need to be resurfaced to maintain safe travel.
Estimated Cost $47,000
Possible Funding General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund Source
Total Rating 25 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE
20
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Public Works and Property
Project Year 2014
Project Resurface West 10th Avenue
Description Asphalt resurfacing of West 10th Avenue from Grantham Street to Western Street.
Justification This street is currently a brick street, and is in poor condition and will need to be resurfaced. This road is a high traffic area for the Borough, and the weekly traffic increases on weekends as church attendees commute.
Estimated Cost $40,000
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 22 Score
Rank Desirable
21
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Public Works and Property
Project Year 2015
Project Replace Sidewalks
Description Replace sidewalks in Riverview Park with concrete
Justification The conditions are dangerous, as trees planted in the 1930’s are lifting the sidewalks which many Borough residents use as part of their daily exercise. Residents tripping on treacherously uneven sidewalks create a liability to the Borough.
Estimated Cost $20,000
Possible Funding Port of Pittsburgh grant Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE The Borough was notified that it was the recipient of a $5,000 grant in March, 2009.
22
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Public Works and Property
Project Year 2016
Project Resurface Butler Street
Description Milling and asphalt resurfacing of Butler Street from East 10th Avenue to the dead end on Butler Street.
Justification The condition of this road is deteriorating and should be resurfaced to preserve safe travel conditions for residents.
Estimated Cost $22,000
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 13 Score
Rank Acceptable
23
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Public Works and Property
Project Year 2019
Project Resurfacing of Ormond Street
Description Asphalt resurfacing of Ormond Street from East 10th Avenue to Hazlett Avenue
Justification The condition of this road is deteriorating due to high travel by motorists. It will need to be resurfaced to maintain proper travel conditions
Estimated Cost $33,000
Possible Funding If the borough continues to receive $106,000 per year through the Source Liquid Fuels fund, then the Borough will be able to allocate $30,000 to $50,000 per year toward paving.
Total Rating 13 Score
Rank Acceptable
UPDATE
24
WATER DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT
25
Tarentum Borough Capital Improvement Projects 2009-2019 Water Distribution
PROJECT COST THIS TOTAL PROJECT PRICE PHASE RATING COMPLETION CATEGORY YEARLY EXPENSES YEARLY EXPENSES WATER DISTRIBUTION CATEGORY PHASE RANK COMPLETED YEAR PHASE PRICE COMPLETED SCORE DATE SUBTOTAL PROJECTED ACTUAL
2009 Fire Hydrant Replacement Distribution System Projects 1 of 3 $28,260 $650,000 30 ESSENTIAL 2009 Manual Valve Turning Machine Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $6,000 $6,000 30 ESSENTIAL $6,000 $6,000 2009 Raw Water Lines Distribution System Projects 1 of 1 $250,000 $250,000 26 ESSENTIAL $278,260 $278,260 2010 Fire Hydrant Replacement Distribution System Projects 2 of 3 $28,260 $650,000 30 ESSENTIAL $28,260 $28,260 2010 Payment #1 of a One Ton Dist. Truck Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 3 $10,000 $30,000 30 ESSENTIAL $10,000 $10,000 2011 Confined Space Entry Equipment Vehicles/Equipment 1 of 1 $6,000 $6,000 18 DESIRABLE 2011 Fire Hydrant Replacement Distribution System Projects 3 of 3 $28,260 $650,000 30 ESSENTIAL $28,260 $28,260 2011 Payment #1 of Water Bldg Buildings/Property 1 of 2 $25,000 $50,000 23 DESIRABLE $25,000 $25,000 2011 Payment #2 of a One Ton Dist. Truck Vehicles/Equipment 2 of 3 $10,000 $30,000 30 ESSENTIAL $10,000 $10,000 2012 Payment #2 of Water Bldg Buildings/Property 2 of 2 $25,000 $50,000 23 DESIRABLE $25,000 $25,000 2012 Payment #3 of a One Ton Dist. Truck Vehicles/Equipment 3 of 3 $10,000 $30,000 30 ESSENTIAL $10,000 $10,000 2013 Phase #1 Tank Rehabilitation Distribution System Projects 1 of 3 $50,000 $150,000 20 DESIRABLE $50,000 $50,000 2014 Phase #2 Tank Rehabilitation Distribution System Projects 2 of 3 $50,000 $150,000 20 DESIRABLE 2014 Ormond Street Water Line Distribution System Projects 1 of 1 $190,000 $190,000 22 DESIRABLE 2015 Phase #3 Tank Rehabilitation Distribution System Projects 3 of 3 $50,000 $150,000 20 DESIRABLE $50,000 $50,000 $520,780
26
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2009
Project Fire Hydrant Replacement
Description Incrementally replace all of the Borough’s 163 fire hydrants.
Justification The fire hydrants have been replaced at a rate of eight to ten hydrants per year since 1988. This project is scheduled to wrap up in 2011.
Estimated Cost $28,260
Possible Funding Borough budget Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2011 Phase 3 – Project Complete
27
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2009
Project Manual Valve Turning Machine
Description Purchase a manual valve turning machine
Justification This machine is used to exercise valves so that all of the valves are used at least once. This purchase will help the Borough to conform to ACHD/DEP standards.
Estimated Cost $6,000
Possible Funding Borough budget Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Desirable
28
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2009
Project Raw Water Lines
Description Replace 1,200 feet of raw water lines on Electric Alley and Main Street. The existing 14 inch mains will be replaced with new 12 inch ductile iron.
Justification The existing 14 inch mains are no longer manufactured. Replacing the 14 inch mains with 12 inch ductile iron allows the main to be repaired in the event of a water main break.
Estimated Cost $250,000
Possible Funding Outside funding Source
Total Rating 26 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE
29
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2010
Project Fire Hydrant Replacement
Description Incrementally replace all of the Borough’s 163 fire hydrants.
Justification The fire hydrants have been replaced at a rate of eight to ten hydrants per year since 1988. This project is scheduled to wrap up in 2011.
Estimated Cost $28,260
Possible Funding Borough budget Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2011 Phase 3 – Project Complete
30
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2010
Project Payment #1 of One Ton Distribution Truck
Description Purchase a used one ton distribution truck with a crane and air compressor.
Justification This will be the primary service truck for the Water Distribution Department. The department does not have a one ton truck, and needs it to carry all safety equipment and to maintain the daily operations of the department.
Estimated Cost $10,000
Possible Funding Borough financing of a five-year maximum loan, payment not to Source exceed $10,000 per year
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential – truck rusting
UPDATE 2010 Phase 1 2011 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 – Project Complete
31
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2011
Project Confined Space Entry Equipment
Description Secure and purchase confined space entry equipment
Justification The Water Distribution Department does not have this equipment and must borrow it from the fire department. This equipment is necessary to keep employees safe. All Borough employees, regardless of department, will be able to use this equipment once it is purchased.
Estimated Cost $6,000
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 18 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
32
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2011
Project Fire Hydrant Replacement
Description Incrementally replace all of the Borough’s 163 fire hydrants.
Justification The fire hydrants have been replaced at a rate of eight to ten hydrants per year since 1988. This project is scheduled to wrap up in 2011.
Estimated Cost $28,260
Possible Funding Borough budget Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2011 Phase 3 – Project Complete
33
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2011
Project Payment #1 of Water Department Building
Description Construct a new building for the Electric and Water Departments at the old playground between 5th Avenue and Electric Alley. The building will be approximately 4,000 square feet with four garage doors and four main doors.
Justification Currently, all departments are housed in one building and there is not enough room for all of the equipment and stock
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Borough funding Source
Total Rating 23 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE 2011 Phase 1 2012 Phase 2
34
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2011
Project Payment #2 of One Ton Distribution Truck
Description Purchase a used one ton distribution truck with a crane and air compressor.
Justification This will be the primary service truck for the Water Distribution Department. The department does not have a one ton truck, and needs it to carry all safety equipment and to maintain the daily operations of the department.
Estimated Cost $10,000
Possible Funding Borough financing of a five-year maximum loan, payment not to Source exceed $10,000 per year
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential – truck rusting
UPDATE 2010 Phase 1 2011 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 – Project Complete
35
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2012
Project Payment #2 of Water Department Building
Description Construct a new building for the Electric and Water Departments at the old playground between 5th Avenue and Electric Alley. The building will be approximately 4,000 square feet with four garage doors and four main doors.
Justification Currently, all departments are housed in one building and there is not enough room for all of the equipment and stock
Estimated Cost $25,000
Possible Funding Borough funding Source
Total Rating 23 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE 2011 Phase 1 2012 Phase 2
36
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2012
Project Payment #3 of One Ton Distribution Truck
Description Purchase a used one ton distribution truck with crane and air compressor
Justification This will be the primary truck for the Water Distribution Department. The department does not have a one ton truck and needs it to carry all safety equipment and to maintain the daily operations of the department.
Estimated Cost $30,000 over life of a three year loan, $10,000 annually
Possible Funding Borough financing of a three-year maximum loan, payment not Source to exceed $10,000 per year
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential – truck is rusting
UPDATE 2010 Phase 1 2011 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 – Project Complete
37
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2013
Project Tank Rehabilitation
Description Draining, inspecting, repainting, and installing new piping for the train inside the water tank. This project will replace the small tank with a new 1 million gallon tank and valve pit.
Justification The tank rehabilitation must be done to comply with Allegheny County Health Department/Department of Environmental Protection (ACHD/DEP) regulations. This rehabilitation enhances the quality of water, protects consumers against diseases and prevents total collapse of the tank.
Estimated Cost $50,000 per tank/$150,000 for the project
Possible Funding External funding being sought Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE 2013 Phase 1 2014 Phase 2 2015 Phase 3 – Project Complete
38
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2014
Project Tank Rehabilitation
Description Draining, inspecting, repainting, and installing new piping for the train inside the water tank. This project will replace the small tank with a new 1 million gallon tank and valve pit.
Justification The tank rehabilitation must be done to comply with Allegheny County Health Department/Department of Environmental Protection (ACHD/DEP) regulations. This rehabilitation enhances the quality of water, protects consumers against diseases and prevents total collapse of the tank.
Estimated Cost $50,000 per tank/$150,000 for the project
Possible Funding External funding being sought Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE 2013 Phase 1 2014 Phase 2 2015 Phase 3 – Project Complete
39
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2014
Project Ormond Street Water Line
Description Replace the water line along Ormond Street
Justification This stretch of water line has been subject to several breaks and in need of several repairs over the last few years. It should be replaced.
Estimated Cost $190,000
Possible Funding External funding being sought Source
Total Rating 22 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
40
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Distribution
Project Year 2015
Project Tank Rehabilitation
Description Draining, inspecting, repainting, and installing new piping for the train inside the water tank. This project will replace the small tank with a new 1 million gallon tank and valve pit.
Justification The tank rehabilitation must be done to comply with Allegheny County Health Department/Department of Environmental Protection (ACHD/DEP) regulations. This rehabilitation enhances the quality of water, protects consumers against diseases and prevents total collapse of the tank.
Estimated Cost $50,000 per tank/$150,000 for the project
Possible Funding External funding being sought Source
Total Rating 20 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE 2013 Phase 1 2014 Phase 2 2015 Phase 3 – Project Complete
41
WATER TREATMENT DEPARTMENT
42
Tarentum Borough Capital Improvement Projects 2009-2019
2009 One Basin Drag Unit Water Plant Project 1 of 1 $60,000 $60,000 23 DESIRABLE $114,000 $60,000 2010 Rebuild Four Filters and Media Phase 2 Water Plant Project 2 of 5 $54,000 $270,000 30 ESSENTIAL $54,000 $54,000 2011 Upgrade Controls at the Water Plant Water Plant Project 1 of 1 $40,000 $40,000 27 ESSENTIAL $40,000 $40,000 2012 Flocculator Work Water Plant Project 1 of 1 $50,000 $50,000 22 DESIRABLE $50,000 2012 Rebuild Four Filters and Media Phase 3 Water Plant Project 3 of 5 $54,000 $270,000 30 ESSENTIAL $104,000 $54,000 2013 Replace Pumps Pumphouse Project 1 of 1 no est. no est. 18 DESIRABLE no est. no est. 2014 Rebuild Four Filters and Media Phase 4 Water Plant Project 4 of 5 $54,000 $270,000 30 ESSENTIAL $54,000 $54,000 2015 Water Security Tank Water Plant Project 1 of 1 $4,000 $4,000 11 ACCEPTABLE $4,000 $4,000 2016 Pump House Piping and Electrical Mods. Pumphouse Project 1 of 1 $250,000 $250,000 11 ACCEPTABLE $250,000 $250,000 2016 Rebuild Four Filters and Media Phase 5 Water Plant Project 5 of 5 $54,000 $270,000 30 ESSENTIAL $54,000 $54,000 2018 Piping Gallery Modifications Water Plant Project 1 of 1 $800,000 $800,000 30 ESSENTIAL $800,000 $800,000 $1,480,000
43
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2009
Project Rebuild 4 Filters Phase 1
Description This project is for the replacement of under drains and media, and includes the addition of an air scoop.
Justification This is an essential project, as filters are showing wear, and media has not been added to or replaced in several years.
Estimated Cost $54,000
Possible Funding The Borough is currently examining the possibility of securing Source an infrastructure grant, and additional funding from a federal program.
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 2014 Phase 4 2016 Phase 5
44
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2009
Project Pumphouse Maintenance
Description This project is for the replacement of broken bolts and decking in the pumphouse
Justification There are rusted bolts and equipment in the pumphouse which could lead to leakage of pipes and possible flooding of the pumphouse. The wooden deck in the pumphouse has weakened over the years and needs to be replaced.
Estimated Cost $6,000
Possible Funding This item is addressed in the 2009 budget for the Borough Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
45
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2009
Project One Basin Drag Unit
Description This project is for the replacement of old drag units with two new robotic unit
Justification This project is for the replacement of old drag units that are not working properly. With the replacement of the units, the Water Department will also save water by not draining basins each time they are cleaned.
Estimated Cost $160,000
Possible Funding Yet to be determined Source
Total Rating 23 Score
Rank Desirable
46
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2010
Project Rebuild 4 Filters Phase 2
Description This project is for the replacement of under drains and media, and includes the addition of an air scoop.
Justification This is an essential project, as filters are showing wear, and media has not been added to or replaced in several years.
Estimated Cost $54,000
Possible Funding The Borough is currently examining the possibility of securing Source an infrastructure grant, and additional funding from a federal program.
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 2014 Phase 4 2016 Phase 5
47
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2011
Project Upgrade Controls at the Water Plant
Description This project is for the upgrade of the controls at the Water Plant
Justification Computer board controls are wearing and are expensive to replace due to the age of the equipment and the difficulty in replacing obsolete parts. Replacement parts are difficult to find and/or expensive to purchase.
Estimated Cost $40,000
Possible Funding Partial Borough funding and outside grants Source
Total Rating 27 Score
Rank Essential
48
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2012
Project Flocculator Work
Description Replace and rebuild all flocculators in the water treatment facility
Justification The flocculators are dated and in need of repair and replacement
Estimated Cost $50,000
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 22 Score
Rank Desirable
49
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2012
Project Rebuild 4 Filters Phase 3
Description This project is for the replacement of under drains and media, and includes the addition of an air scoop.
Justification This is an essential project, as filters are showing wear, and media has not been added to or replaced in several years.
Estimated Cost $54,000
Possible Funding The Borough is currently examining the possibility of securing Source an infrastructure grant and additional funding from a federal program.
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 2014 Phase 4 2016 Phase 5
50
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2013
Project Replace Pumps
Description This project is for the replacement of pump housings that are worn and leaking.
Justification Some of the pumps have not been replaced for years. Over time, the pumps that have been re-built are becoming de-sealed and worn.
Estimated Cost
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 18 Score
Rank Desirable
UPDATE
51
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2014
Project Rebuild 4 Filters Phase 4
Description This project is for the replacement of under drains and media, and includes the addition of an air scoop.
Justification This is an essential project, as filters are showing wear, and media has not been added to or replaced in several years.
Estimated Cost $54,000
Possible Funding The Borough is currently examining the possibility of securing Source an infrastructure grant and additional funding for a federal program.
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 2014 Phase 4 2016 Phase 5
52
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2015
Project Water Tank Security
Description This project is for the addition of new fencing and cameras to be installed around the water tanks.
Justification The fencing and cameras are need to address Homeland Security and public safety issues
Estimated Cost $4,000
Possible Funding This project will be accomplished through the application of local Source and outside funding
Total Rating 11 Score
Rank Essential
53
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2016
Project Pump House Piping and Electrical Modifications
Description This project involves structural work, standardization of piping, elimination of EMT conduit, and sealing of the river pump house. The EMT will be replaced with threaded conduit and the wood floor would be replaced with secondary steel and fiberglass grating?
Justification This renovation will eliminate the water coming through the walls and damaging electrical boxes during river floods. It will also make the pump house’s piping easier to replace in time of emergency. Most importantly, this project will bring the electrical facilities into National Electrical Code (NEC) compliance.
Estimated Cost $250,000
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 11 Score
Rank Acceptable
54
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2016
Project Rebuild 4 Filters Phase 5
Description This project is for the replacement of under drains and media, and includes the addition of an air scoop.
Justification This is an essential project, as filters are showing wear, and media has not been added to or replaced in several years.
Estimated Cost $54,000
Possible Funding The Borough is currently examining the possibility of securing Source an infrastructure grant and additional funding from a federal program.
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
UPDATE 2009 Phase 1 2010 Phase 2 2012 Phase 3 2014 Phase 4 2016 Phase 5
55
Borough of Tarentum Capital Improvement Plan
Department Water Treatment
Project Year 2018
Project Piping Gallery Modifications
Description This project calls for modifications for the Clarifier-Parallel Operation, piping, valves and sluice gates.
Justification Needed to properly maintain and isolate basins
Estimated Cost $800,000
Possible Funding Source
Total Rating 30 Score
Rank Essential
56