Will New Kensington ever come back?

[Fresh Heirlooms]

We have no statistics to prove anything, but anecdotally we have met more than a few young couples in our store who are shopping for items to renovate the wonderful old houses they are buying here within city limits. Even without the commuter train people see the value of living in this area. Rt. 28, from the New Ken ramp to the Highland Park Bridge, is 10 minutes!

[gg]

Originally Posted by Fresh Heirlooms

We have no statistics to prove anything, but anecdotally we have met more than a few young couples in our store who are shopping for items to renovate the wonderful old houses they are buying here within city limits. Even without the commuter train people see the value of living in this area. Rt. 28, from the New Ken ramp to the Highland Park Bridge, is 10 minutes!

This is true... well maybe a little longer than 10, but close and probably few people know about that. Also that downtown has huge potential. It is flat and has great bones. It may happen at some point. I do feel teachers in Allegheny County will keep that place in play. I mean they don't pay into healthcare and those costs are wildly out of control. That being said the increases in taxes that are going to continue year after year may make that a very interesting option. I have to say, if there was a great bike way to get from there to the Highland Park bridge and maybe some train, all of a sudden BOOM, I think you would see quite a few people snooping around. They have some little places that are interesting. House of 1000 Beers, the Crow Bar and P&M Pizza. Yeah, I know Arnold, but that is right there and flat.

Anyway, I miss the old Gateway Theater. Ah, showing my age and... to be quite honest knowledge of that region. It is on my radar screen as I type this.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Ever hear of the McKeesport Flyer?

Apparently nothing actually changed in the 24 years since that shut down, or the 38 years since it started. Oh and also the Allegheny Valley is exactly the same as the Mon Valley, wow! Learn something new every day....

[Tedko]

Originally Posted by Copanut

How many people do you think will have a job in Pgh and move to that area?

My husband and I are considering a move to New Ken within the next few years, both to be closer to my parents (who live in Allegheny Township) and to get out of the city yet still be within a reasonable commute to Pittsburgh. Specifically, we are looking into the Mt. Vernon area, which is a nice little neighborhood of New Ken. And yes, taxes are another reason we are considering a move to Westmoreland County.

I am surprised that more people are not willing to take a chance on New Ken just for the taxes alone.

Plus, if we live in Mt. Vernon it will give us good parking for the garage sales in July.

[I_Like_Spam]

The completion of the work on 28 could make this area a reasonable bedroom area for downtown Pittsburgh workers.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

The completion of the work on 28 could make this area a reasonable bedroom area for downtown Pittsburgh workers.

I think it's more likely that Route 28's completion will signal more new construction in Harrison Twp., Frazer Twp., East Deer Twp., Springdale Twp., Harmar Twp., South Buffalo Twp., and Sarver Twp. more than a revival of New Kensington. Like it or not the majority of Americans still seem to prefer plowing over trees for McMansions rather than reinvigorating outlying depressed mill towns. The irony is that as those townships boom, the "new and improved" Route 28 will only become congested again in another decade.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Sarver Twp.

There's no such thing. Sarver is one of those zip code things. It is contained in Buffalo Township, Butler County.

That is as opposed to South Buffalo Township, which is in Armstrong County.

Both of those are in the same school district despite the county line (Freeport Area).