Cheswick’s main business district could see significant updates soon.
The borough plans to repave its sidewalks and curbs and add light poles along Pittsburgh Street with a $1.1 million state grant, according to Council President Brad Yaksich.
Yaksich said the effort is part of an effort to revitalize the corridor.
The sidewalks in the area have required attention for some time, but so do the water lines beneath them, he said.
Cheswick had previously balked at the idea of repaving the walks just to tear them up again when it came time to replace the lines, according to Yaksich.
The borough has now budgeted for water infrastructure improvements, and the grant will allow for the repaving.
“It’s saving us a ton of money,” Yaksich said.
The money comes from Pennsylvania’s Multimodal Transportation Fund.
In addition to the sidewalks, Yaksich said officials would look into installing decorative light poles along Pittsburgh Street and better aligning the exit from Cheswick Plaza with Hill Avenue.
The work will have to happen in phases, he said, the first of which will likely focus on the area between Pillow and North Highland avenues.
Engineering work will commence this year. Yaksich said he hopes the first phase will be complete by the end of 2027, though it could extend further.
Cheswick plans to reach out to business owners and stakeholders along Pittsburgh Street for their input on the project, Yaksich said.
He credited state Rep. Mandy Steele and state Sen. Lindsey Williams for their help securing the grant.
“It makes sense to invest state money back into communities like this, and I was glad to support Cheswick’s application for funds to improve their business district,” Steele said in a statement. “Investments like this will benefit the entire Valley.”