Tarentum approves seed money for West Seventh Avenue renovation plan

By this time next year, Tarentum’s West Seventh Avenue business corridor could look brand-new with updated facades on many of the storefronts.

That’s the hope of council, which last week agreed to put up seed money for a redevelopment plan by Faith Community Partners (FCP). The nonprofit has worked a handful of years on a regional plan for Tarentum, Harrison, Brackenridge and other nearby communities.

The group targets blight remediation, recreation, economic development and branding.

Efforts in the last year or so have been revving up with specific projects eyed for a West Seventh Avenue refresh.

“The nice thing is that through recent conversations, we will be able to add East Tarentum projects as well,” council President Scott Dadowski said.

Council has approved spending up to $10,000 to get it going.

“They want to start from the ground up with artist renderings,” Dadowski said. “This will carry all the way through town. I’m totally for it.”

Councilman Brian Snyder agreed that it’s a perfect time to kick off the project.

“It needs done, and it’s in the best interest of the borough,” he said.

Fellow council member Carrie Fox said a partnership with FCP will provide momentum to any work.

“We can build off each other,” she said. “They have a network of resources.”

Faith Community Partners officials said they aim to seek funding from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for façade improvements and other work.

“We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the borough,” said David Rankin, FCP executive director. “We expect this to bear fruit.”