McKees Rocks revitalized by new community center
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/36071/1/McKees-Rocks-revitalized-by-new-community-center/Page1.html
Pilar Brown
By Pilar Brown
Published on 09/21/2006
Standing in a hollowed out building that 50 years ago represented a seat of political power in McKees Rocks, the Rev. Regis Ryan, executive director of Focus On Renewal, ushered in a new era of community and creativity.
Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center renovation begins
Standing in a hollowed out building that 50 years ago represented a seat of political power in McKees Rocks, Rev. Regis Ryan, executive director of Focus On Renewal, ushered in a new era of community and creativity.
“We are standing here today because nearly a decade ago McKees Rocks citizens envisioned a cultural center for their borough that would bring people together,” said Father Ryan at the Sept. 13 renovation “kick off” ceremony announcing construction of the 26,000 square-foot Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center, before an ever-growing audience of well-wishers, partners and public officials.
The Allegheny County Department of Community and Economic Development provided $800,000 for the purchase and initial renovation of the center as part of a federal housing discrimination lawsuit settlement. Seven communities were included in the Sanders Consent Decree: Braddock, Clairton, Duquesne, Homestead, McKees Rocks, Rankin and Wilkinsburg.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato who attended the renovation ceremony said “I’ve been dealing with the Sanders Consent Decree since I was county controller. We did a couple of audits on it and one of the frustrating things was…while the plaintiffs won a battle with the settlement the money wasn’t getting back to the people, it wasn’t being used for bricks-and-mortar projects, and it wasn’t going to what we’re doing here today.”
Once the construction phase is finished, work has already started on the programs the center will house. “One of the best things that happened since we bought the building is the relationship that evolved with Point Park University,” said Father Ryan.
“We hope to be able to continue to be a part of what will some day soon be a beacon of light in this community and for all who enter its doors,” said Pat Moran, director of Point Park University’s Community Outreach Partnership Center, which has supported FOR and its efforts to bring the arts to the area through education and outreach. The building cost roughly $270,000 and an additional $70,000 to remove the asbestos. This next phase is expected to cost $520,000 and will take about 10 months to complete. The work will include excavation and backfill, concrete foundations, masonry stair towers, rough carpentry, door frames, structural steel stairs, concrete stairs and a temporary roof.
Architect John Baverso, who has donated his time and skills to the project since FOR purchased the building in 2003, created the building’s design.
The project, which is estimated to cost $3.4 million when completed, is seen as part of a larger effort to breathe new life into McKees Rocks and restore much of its historic architecture, and bring new ideas and people into the borough.
“I’ve been in McKees Rocks many times since I’ve been elected, and to see this program and this building being renovated makes me feel good that it’s actually starting to happen,” Onorato added.
“Preserving our history and heritage through renovations like this is the key to our future,” said Father Ryan. “The Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center building is now being polished into a jewel in the heart of Chartiers Avenue.”
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| ROX REVITALIZATION--Unveiling, from left: John Baverso, architect; Dan Onorato, Allegheny County chief executive; Pat Moran, COPC director; Father Ryan; Frances Carter and Isaiah Thomas, McKees Rocks residents; seated, front, children from Butterfly Garden Early Learning Center. |
“We are standing here today because nearly a decade ago McKees Rocks citizens envisioned a cultural center for their borough that would bring people together,” said Father Ryan at the Sept. 13 renovation “kick off” ceremony announcing construction of the 26,000 square-foot Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center, before an ever-growing audience of well-wishers, partners and public officials.
The Allegheny County Department of Community and Economic Development provided $800,000 for the purchase and initial renovation of the center as part of a federal housing discrimination lawsuit settlement. Seven communities were included in the Sanders Consent Decree: Braddock, Clairton, Duquesne, Homestead, McKees Rocks, Rankin and Wilkinsburg.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato who attended the renovation ceremony said “I’ve been dealing with the Sanders Consent Decree since I was county controller. We did a couple of audits on it and one of the frustrating things was…while the plaintiffs won a battle with the settlement the money wasn’t getting back to the people, it wasn’t being used for bricks-and-mortar projects, and it wasn’t going to what we’re doing here today.”
Once the construction phase is finished, work has already started on the programs the center will house. “One of the best things that happened since we bought the building is the relationship that evolved with Point Park University,” said Father Ryan.
“We hope to be able to continue to be a part of what will some day soon be a beacon of light in this community and for all who enter its doors,” said Pat Moran, director of Point Park University’s Community Outreach Partnership Center, which has supported FOR and its efforts to bring the arts to the area through education and outreach. The building cost roughly $270,000 and an additional $70,000 to remove the asbestos. This next phase is expected to cost $520,000 and will take about 10 months to complete. The work will include excavation and backfill, concrete foundations, masonry stair towers, rough carpentry, door frames, structural steel stairs, concrete stairs and a temporary roof.
Architect John Baverso, who has donated his time and skills to the project since FOR purchased the building in 2003, created the building’s design.
The project, which is estimated to cost $3.4 million when completed, is seen as part of a larger effort to breathe new life into McKees Rocks and restore much of its historic architecture, and bring new ideas and people into the borough.
“I’ve been in McKees Rocks many times since I’ve been elected, and to see this program and this building being renovated makes me feel good that it’s actually starting to happen,” Onorato added.
“Preserving our history and heritage through renovations like this is the key to our future,” said Father Ryan. “The Sto-Rox Cultural Arts Center building is now being polished into a jewel in the heart of Chartiers Avenue.”