The future of Mckeesport? (Pittsburgh, Johnstown: middle-class, section 8, houses)

[bigbywolf44]

Over the past two years, somehow the City of McKeesport has gotten worse in nearly every category except education (that distinction still belongs to Wilkinsburg). There has just been bad news story after bad news story coming out of the once proud mon valley city. From the idling of the USS pipework facility, to the constant shootings that have killed gang members and innocent bystanders. to the freak accidents like students being run over by busses, to even now the last bit of bad news which is that the Daily news which has been located in McKeesport for over a hundred years is finally closing up shop....It makes you wonder the question.


What does the future of McKeesport hold? could it get better? when or how? or is it a lost cause?

[bradjl2009]

The Mon Valley needs to integrate into the rest of Allegheny County better IMO to have a chance. If not, it will keep falling by the way side.

[safak]

Just one guys opinion but McKeesport has the same problem Wilkinsburg does. Just WAY to big of an area for a dozen or 2 reno's to really start a ball rolling, and too many houses that are past the point of no return.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by safak

Just one guys opinion but McKeesport has the same problem Wilkinsburg does. Just WAY to big of an area for a dozen or 2 reno's to really start a ball rolling, and too many houses that are past the point of no return.

McKeesport has a much worse problem than Wilkinsburg.

Wilkinsburg's problem essentially boils down to the aftereffects of white flight. It's sad to say, but I have no doubt if Wilkinsburg was at exactly the same point in terms of its built condition, but mostly working-class white, it would gentrify within a span of 10-20 years. It has a great location, walkable business districts, quick access to Downtown via the East Busway, and great old houses which could be brought back.

Parts of McKeesport have had strong white flight as well. But added to this is a location which makes turning it into an "urban suburb" of Pittsburgh impossible. There are still jobs down thataway, but they are in the surrounding suburbs, which are in slow decline themselves, and affordable enough that anyone middle class in McKeesport who wants out can get out.

Of course, it could be worse. McKeesport could be Johnstown or something. But I honestly don't see much of a future for the City other than an increasing number of vacant lots.

[safak]

If you could chop out a nice little section of just the nicely laid out, mostly intact (structurally) business district, and the few decent areas and ignore the other 80%, i would agree with you 100% on Wilkinsburg. Until they do that, zero chance.

Your point about if it was 'mostly working-class white' (and i say there is no reason for the white to be put in there) could be applied to any depressed area. You take any 'ghetto' in the country and replace them with all working class (any race) instead of crack houses, section 8's, and abandoned teardowns.. and boom, it will get nicer.

[RogersParkTransplant]

The part about race is really tricky. I think eschaton's comments on this are based on observing historical patterns rather than any deeply held personal feelings on race. To the extent that there is a general pattern of gentrification happening in white areas first, I can see his point; on the other hand I don't think it has to be this way forever...Pittsburgh does have a wonderful middle-class African-American community, and I do see hope for Wilkinsburg to improve while keeping its black population, but I also see where this has not been the pattern across the nation. Still, it gives me so much hope to see multiple black-owned businesses doing well on East Ohio Street -- it's one of the main reasons I love the North side so much, really -- and I like to think we could see more of that in other areas, too.

Anyway, back to McKeesport: why can't Pittsburgh have a better network of local commuter trains, like the Metra in Chicago or the commuter rail systems in Boston, NYC, etc? I have often wondered whether a working local train couldn't save the whole Mon valley, and McKeesport in particular. I'm guessing the response on here will be a) there are steep hills in the way, and b) this costs money, but I don't see either problem as being insurmountable.

[I_Like_Spam]

McKeesport needs to attract industry to replace what they've lost.

Otherwise, its just going to get smaller and smaller.


Its really not an easy commute to Pittsburgh, I don't see a future for McKeesport as a bedroom community

[ny789987]

As areas closer to the city get better, places like McKeesport are only going to get worse as poorer residents and Section 8 get pushed out that way. McKeesport is not really in a convenient area to commute from and the air quality down that way still isn't the best.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by ny789987

the air quality down that way still isn't the best.

Ironically, if the air quality were to improve significantly, it would mean less industrial activity and even less reason to live down there.

[ny789987]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

Ironically, if the air quality were to improve significantly, it would mean less industrial activity and even less reason to live down there.

Sad, but true observation.