Blighted Sharpsburg brownfield gets $25 million boost in Allegheny Shores transformation

Transformation of Allegheny Shores, a 52-acre brownfield along the Allegheny River in Sharpsburg, got a boost of nearly $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Money will be funneled to construction of a multimodal transportation network to support the project. Work includes a bridge over the Conemaugh rail line, roads to link the community to the riverfront, multi-use trails and upgrades to multiple bus stops along Main Street.

“This grant represents a monumental opportunity for our historic river town, with potential impacts that are truly unprecedented,” Borough Manager Christine DeRunk said.

Groundbreaking for the Allegheny Shores development was in 2022, with The Mosites Co. — known for its redevelopment of the East Liberty commercial corridor — behind the wheel.

The project aims to develop commercial, housing and retail use, and as significantly, reconnect residents to the shorefront.

The 1.5-mile property, thick with slag, was abandoned long ago by the railroad and operated for decades as a scrapyard. Beneath it all were fields that grew cabbage and tomatoes that launched the H.J. Heinz Co.

DeRunk said the federal grant is invaluable to transforming the borough and improving quality of life for residents, along with spurring economic development.

U.S. Senator John Fetterman said in a release that the funding is a massive win for Sharpsburg. He advocated for the grant, along with help from U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio and U.S. Senator Bob Casey.

“This project will allow the community to turn a blighted former rail yard into an engine for economic revitalization, and the benefits will be felt for generations,” Fetterman said.

The money was made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.

It was among $90 million doled out to transportation, transit and trail projects across the state.

It’s significant that these smaller communities have a “fair shot” at a new future, Fetterman said.

Casey called the grant transformational. He said that by reconnecting the borough to the riverfront and expanding transportation options, investments are being made in the long-term health of Sharpsburg.

The borough, nestled about 5 miles from Pittsburgh along the Allegheny River, is home to about 3,500 residents.

The Allegheny Shores brownfield accounts for about 12% of borough land. It has been unable to be revitalized because of a lack of transportation infrastructure.

The federal grant will enable Sharpsburg to use the formerly blighted property to offer riverfront housing. It is expected to open access for residents to the water through walking, biking and other opportunities, and to bring new jobs.

Deluzio, who lives neighboring Aspinwall, said the investment positions Sharpsburg for a brighter future.

It will enable Sharpsburg to transform the Allegheny Shores into a vibrant hub for alternative transportation, jobs, affordable housing and greenways, he said.

“It can shape a community for generations to come, spurring growth and getting folks connected to the beautiful Allegheny River,” Deluzio said.