In the past six months, Senator Costa has brought nearly $8 million to the community
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of nearly $5 million in state grants for the Wilkinsburg community, adding to the major investments he has advocated for in the past six months.
“Today’s grants are a continuation of the investment I have prioritized for the Wilkinsburg community,” said Senator Costa. “The combination of state resources we have allocated along with private sector funding has made Wilkinsburg a desirable place to live and do business. We can all take pride in these projects and the cooperation it has taken to revitalize this community. Nonprofits and developers have recognized the progress we have made here and we can continue to look forward to strong investment from a variety of partners.”
The projects funded today are part of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
The grants announced today include:
- $1.75 million for the conversion of an old Texaco gas station on Ardmore Boulevard into a multi-story commercial space with outdoor seating and significant new landscaping.
- $1.5 million of continued investment in the Hunter Building for refurbishing this space that serves as an entry to the business district of Wilkinsburg
- $1.25 million to Wilkinsburg Townhome Development for the construction of 14 townhouses. These units will have 2 and 3 bedrooms, basements and garages.
- $500,000 for the Pleasant Bell Building to construct a mid-rise, mixed use structure to replace an empty lot. It will include tech space, housing units and four storefronts for retail and services
- $300,000 as the final installment of state investment in the Wilkinsburg Train Station
“With the increased interest surrounding Wilkinsburg, these investments will be crucial to the current infrastructure and future of the Borough,” said Representative elect Martell Covington. “I am excited to support this continued momentum and revitalization efforts along with Senator Costa.”
The grants announced today will be matched with private dollars and are in addition to millions previously awarded to Wilkinsburg by the state in its rehabilitation efforts.
Earlier this April, Senator Costa supported a $700,000 grant for 1009 Wood Street in the Community Revitalization Fund Program from PHFA for the reactivation of this long-vacant and underutilized building in the heart of Wilkinsburg into two story, mixed use buildings with 10 commercial storefronts.
Late last year, Senator Costa secured $1 million for Hosana House, funded by RACP, to develop 24,000 square feet of commercial space with new storefronts and move-in ready business space. Additionally, he successfully advocated for nearly $650,000 in multi modal grants for three projects in Wilkinsburg: $143,312 for the 1009 Wood Street Development, $250,000 for the Whitney Avenue Transportation improvements and $250,000 for a sewer rehabilitation project on Ardmore Boulevard.
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 22, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of $4 million in state grants for projects in Swissvale.
“Public services in Swissvale are going to see major upgrades in the coming months thanks to these grants we secured today,” said Senator Costa. “Libraries are a local treasure and I’m always happy to support the strong library system we have in this region; further, I’m excited to watch the redevelopment of Swissvale’s municipal building and how it will better serve our constituents.”
The historic Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale will receive $1.5 million to rehabilitate the library, including improvements to the original building and construction of a new 2 story addition that will house an elevator, stairway, along with an entrance plaza – all ADA compliant.
The Borough of Swissvale will receive $2.5 million to construct a new municipal building that will house the police department, borough administration, council chambers and a community gathering area. They will use this grant to demolish the existing building and build the new.
The projects funded today are part of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), a state grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
Pittsburgh, Pa. − April 21, 2022 − Senator Jay Costa today announced the award of more than $1.75 million in state grant funding for the development of multi modal transportation along Sylvan Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh.
$1.76 million has been awarded through PennDOT to reopen a portion of Sylvan Avenue to pedestrian and bicycle traffic as a public trail parallel to SR 885 that will connect the Hazelwood and Greenfield neighborhoods to job centers in Oakland.
“Whether you’re in a car, on a bike or on foot, the City of Pittsburgh must be safe and accessible,” said Senator Costa. “Adding safe spaces for bikers and walkers is critical to ensure that we can all get around this City, particularly on the roads that take folks from home to work every day.”
This grant is part of the Multimodal Transportation Fund, created by Act 89 of 2013.
PennDOT evaluated the applications and made selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, regional economic conditions, the technical and financial feasibility, job creation, energy efficiency, and operational sustainability.
Additionally, PennDOT anticipates accepting Multimodal Transportation Fund applications in fall 2022 for Fiscal Year 2023-24 funding. For more information about the program, visit www.penndot.pa.gov and click on Multimodal Program under the “Projects & Programs” button.
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PITTSBURGH, April 14, 2022 – State Rep. Dan Frankel and Sen. Jay Costa today announced the awarding of more than $500,000 in state safety and security grants to a dozen local religious nonprofits, even as they continue their fight to strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-hate crime laws, expand civil rights and protect at-risk groups through public police.
“This community knows all too well the violence and devastation of hate crimes, and it’s a top priority of mine in the legislature to prevent those crimes,” said Sen. Costa. “I will continue to advocate for the funds to protect our local facilities that could become the next target. While I’m happy to announce today’s grants with Representative Frankel, I would be remiss if I did not also mention that we have introduced legislation that would empower law enforcement with additional tools to track hate groups and prevent violence. We await hearings in the state legislature on those bills.”
Across Allegheny County, more than 20 religious nonprofits were awarded grants totaling more than $1.1 million. The grants were made possible by a bipartisan agreement to extend Act 83 of 2019, legislation championed by both lawmakers in the wake of the Squirrel Hill synagogue attack in 2018, using funding from the American Rescue Plan. This is the third year grants from the program have been disbursed.
“Our houses of faith are integral to a vibrant, diverse and loving Pittsburgh community. With this funding, the state of Pennsylvania acknowledges both the vital role that these organizations play and the dangers of today’s world,” Frankel said. “These places are the centers of their communities, places of peace, of hope, of friendship. No one should ever have to be afraid to step through their doors.”
Grant recipients can use the funds for security enhancements designed to protect the safety of the users of the facility that is owned and operated by the nonprofit organization. These include safety and security planning, purchase of security equipment, safety and security training, and other safety-related projects.
Priority for funding was given to organizations that indicated their organization and/or membership was the victim of a hate crime, that received credible hate-crime threats, or that serves a population susceptible to hate crimes, which includes people of certain race/ethnicity/ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender and gender identity.
Grantees locally included
Chabad of Carnegie Mellon University, Inc.
Jewish Residential Services, Inc.
Chabad of Squirrel Hill Inc.
Yeshivath Achei Tmimim of Pittsburgh.
Lubavitch Center.
Congregation Dor Hadash.
Hillel Jewish University Center.
Chabad Young Professionals Inc.
First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh.
Rodef Shalom Congregation.
Tzohar Seminary.
Temple Sinai.
Harrisburg, PA – March 16, 2022 – Today, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the bipartisan maps for state legislative districts drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Commission and scheduled the petition period for the May primary; the maps that passed the commission in February will be those used on the ballot this year.
“I’m pleased with this ruling because not only were these maps fair, reasonable and supported in a bipartisan way, today’s decision means we can proceed with our election calendar and folks can begin preparation to run for office or learn who their potential representatives will be,” said Senate Democratic Leader and LRC member Jay Costa said. “I supported this map because I believe it is representative and gives Pennsylvanians a fair voice in their state government, and I’m excited to see the electoral process begin this year.”
The Supreme Court decision lays out a timeline for the 2022 election, as the previously scheduled petition period has already passed.
Candidates for the General Assembly may circulate petitions in the districts they live in beginning March 18 and ending March 28.
The primary election will be held as previously scheduled on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
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PITTSBURGH − March 16, 2022 − In an effort to strengthen health protections for Pennsylvania workers, state Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Jay Costa, both D-Allegheny, have introduced the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act.
Currently, the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act allows smoking inside casinos, private clubs and certain drinking establishments. But if passed, Frankel and Costa’s legislation would eliminate those exemptions and expand protections for the employees inside those businesses.
Specifically, the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act would:
- Eliminate loopholes in the Clean Indoor Air Act that leave workers exposed to cancerous secondhand smoke.
- Expand the definition of smoking to include e-cigarettes in order to combat the increase in vaping-related illnesses.
- Give all localities the ability to enact smoke-free ordinances that are more protective than state law.
Frankel noted that pandemic restrictions eliminated smoking in casinos for a year amid a host of other challenges, and the industry revenues remained strong.
“Let’s put to rest the myth that customers won’t come if they can’t smoke indoors. That didn’t happen when smoking was banned on airplanes. It didn’t happen when smoking was banned in restaurants, and it won’t happen when indoor smoking is finally eliminated in casinos,” Frankel said, adding that Parx, the commonwealth’s top revenue-generating casino, is not only keeping the smoking ban in place, but they’re now expanding to open a new, non-smoking location. “If we cannot count on private businesses to do the right thing even when it’s the financially smart thing, then it’s time for political leaders to step in and insist on the protection of the health of our constituents.”
Costa noted that the percentage of people who smoke cigarettes has dropped to an all-time low, because the public understands how unsafe it is. He urged his colleagues in Harrisburg to take this opportunity — when the people are unusually focused on the public health — and update the Clean Indoor Air Act.
“Going to work shouldn’t increase someone’s risk of cancer or lung disease, but that is exactly what happens to the men and women who work in casinos. Indoor smoking exceptions at these facilities are unsafe for workers and non-smoking patrons,” Costa said. “Clean air is a right and that’s why I’m introducing this legislation again with my colleague Representative Frankel.”
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who also gave remarks during Wednesday’s bill announcement, praised the lawmakers for their years of dedication on this topic.
“We commend Senator Costa and Representative Frankel for their continued efforts to further safeguard workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke and urge the legislature to take action on this legislation now,” said Fitzgerald. “Because of the pandemic, we know that businesses that previously suggested that their survival was tied to smoking can actually thrive in a no-smoking environment. In a market where there are great employment needs, offering opportunities for potential employees that also protects their health is a no-brainer.”
Currently, smoking is permitted at more than 1,800 locations in Pennsylvania. Molly Pisciottano, who spoke at the news conference on behalf of Breathe Free, a coalition of organizations including the American Heart Association, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, American Lung Association and American Cancer Society Action Network, referenced a CDC estimate that of 20 million people who died from smoking-related conditions since 1964, 2.5 million were nonsmokers who died from diseases caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.
“The research is clear: gaps in current law have significant health consequences for workers,” said Pisciottano. “Employees should never be asked to accept that kind of risk so that they can put food on the table.”
Photos from today’s press conference can be found here. Video from today’s press conference can be found here.
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