Swissvale officials have announced that the borough, along with Allegheny County, the Mon Valley Initiative and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Association, have secured millions of dollars in funding to restore property around the Kopp Glass corridor.

Mon Valley Initiative representative Patrick Shattuck said the project received $675,000 from the PHFA in October, in addition to $1.3 million promised from Allegheny County, $145,000 from Swissvale and its economic development corporation (SEDCO), and hundreds of thousands of dollars in bridge-loan financing for home ownership opportunities.

The approximately $3 million project will result in the renovation of 13 buildings and construction of 16 condominium units on the blocks of Monongahela, Palmer, Duquesne and Park avenues surrounding the Kopp Glass site. The company, on Palmer Street, manufactures clear and colored glass.

Construction is scheduled to begin next summer.

"I think it's one of the biggest things to hit the town of Swissvale in years and years," said borough council President David Petrarca.

"We're going to see Monongahela Avenue improved to the point where we can be proud of our main street again. It's going to help the borough restore the area and clean up a lot of blight."

The block of Monongahela Avenue closest to the Kopp site has fallen into disrepair over the past 20 years, Mr. Petrarca said. But he added that the new development would not only beautify the area through construction, but through the restoration of public park space on Park Avenue, where 12 buildings will be torn down.

"Appearance means so much," he said. "The appearance is going to be improved, and also the perception. When people see things being done, it brings hope."

Mr. Shattuck said bridge loans will be available for potential homeowners making 80 percent to 150 percent of Swissvale's median income, and that all new properties will be green homes, making them affordable for a variety of income levels.

"These will be very energy-efficient and green structures, affordable to live in and operate," he said. "Just from an environmental perspective, [they are] a wise housing type."

Mr. Petrarca and Mr. Shattuck thanked state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, and state Rep. Paul Costa, D-Wilkins, for their efforts. They also thanked U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, for speaking in support of the project.

And they thanked homeowners in the area who have maintained their properties, regardless of conditions surrounding them. Mr. Petrarca and Mr. Shattuck said this initiative would draw new homeowners who share their interest in keeping up the neighborhoods.

"With attractive houses that are affordable and new in an area that has a strong base of longtime home ownership, we really think this project will benefit this area," said Mr. Shattuck.

Mr. Petrarca said: "Thank you for your patience because you didn't let everything that happened keep you from hanging in there. You'll see this is really going to be a great thing for our town."