Can anything be done to save the "Mon Towns?" (Pittsburgh: houses, tax)

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

McKeesport is, in my opinion, probably the city in the Mon Valley that has the least intact neighborhood and downtown areas. It has suffered more than perhaps any of the others, besides Braddock.

I think it's foolish to only pick one river town to save. A lot of them are in much better condition than our own city neighborhoods in Pittsburgh! Monongahela and Donora are suprisingly intact. Brownsville is intact, but largely vacant, however they have an active preservation group and an enthusiastic mayor who are working to restore the rich collection of early and mid 19th century architecture.

Speaking of Braddock, I really do think John Fetterman is going to strike gold sooner or later and finally start luring the hipsters in en masse.

[Billy53]

Growing up in a "mon" town, I just don't see a way for them ever to bounce back. It's very sad

[ML North]

This is a decent read about the rise and fall of one of the mill towns, Monessen.

Amazon.com: Monessen: A Typical Steel Country Town (The Making of America Series) (9780738523835): Cassandra Vivian: Books

It's mostly historical account, but it does contain some commentary on the political and economic dynamics which produced unfavorable outcomes for the towns in the Mon Valley. You can probably read it in an afternoon, too.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Speaking of Braddock, I really do think John Fetterman is going to strike gold sooner or later and finally start luring the hipsters in en masse.

Seriously?

[stburr91]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Speaking of Braddock, I really do think John Fetterman is going to strike gold sooner or later and finally start luring the hipsters in en masse.

I just can't see that happening as long as the mill is still operating there. I would like to be wrong about that, but I don't think I will be.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Seriously?

Originally Posted by stburr91

I just can't see that happening as long as the mill is still operating there. I would like to be wrong about that, but I don't think I will be.

Seriously. It's very conveniently-located, has a nicely-situated downtown, and boasts a ton of history. That, in conjunction with Mayor Fetterman's undying efforts to think outside the box and attempt to revitalize the borough in a million little creative ways makes me think it, more than anywhere else, stands a chance.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

Seriously. It's very conveniently-located, has a nicely-situated downtown, and boasts a ton of history. That, in conjunction with Mayor Fetterman's undying efforts to think outside the box and attempt to revitalize the borough in a million little creative ways makes me think it, more than anywhere else, stands a chance.

That area started going downhill in the 60's, and back then at least there were good paying jobs in the area. Do we open another casino?

[BrianTH]

I'd guess the near term future of Braddock is tied to the fate of the Carrie Furnace site:

Redevelopment of Carrie Furnace site to begin this year - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Copanut

That area started going downhill in the 60's, and back then at least there were good paying jobs in the area. Do we open another casino?

No, I think Fetterman has the right idea in going after the skinny jeans- and square-framed glasses-wearing crowd.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Copanut

That area started going downhill in the 60's, and back then at least there were good paying jobs in the area. Do we open another casino?

The Pittsburgh MSA has been adding jobs like crazy recently:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

Done right, sites like Carrie Furnace could get a piece of that action.

Edit: Just a visual reminder--the Carrie Furnace site is at the "E" and "N" in "ALLEGHENY":

http://binged.it/KhHNEh