McKees Rocks Chartiers Avenue revitalization nears construction phase

The design phase of a multi-year effort to revitalize the Chartiers Avenue business district in McKees Rocks is almost complete and poised to move onto the construction phase.

Residents, business owners and local elected officials had the opportunity Dec. 2 to view the plan, ask questions and make suggestions about the design work being done by Lami Grubb Architects of Pittsburgh.

The firm has been working on plans to reconfigure Chartiers into a destination site featuring new restaurants, office space, housing and entertainment venues.

A grant from the Allegheny County Economic Development Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund is paying for the design work.

This is the next big piece of the puzzle to revitalizing lower Chartiers Avenue, said Taris Vrcek, executive director of the McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation.

The community development corporation launched the effort several years ago with a series to meetings attended by residents and borough officials to explore ways to improve the business district.

The borough has been a fantastic partner, Mr. Vrcek said.

Jonathan Glance, the lead designer on the project with Lami Grubb Architects, said a huge difference has already been made with the recent conversion of Chartiers into a two-way traffic pattern.

The one-way traffic pattern created a super highway with cars driving too fast through town, Mr. Glance said.

Also planned are new street lights, bump outs, street trees and other amenities like benches and new trash cans.

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McKees Rocks Chartiers Avenue revitalization nears construction phase