Oct. 19, 2022
SHENANDOAH – A new effort to demolish blighted buildings on the 100 block of North Brower Street in Shenandoah and build housing for seniors will be awarded $500,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development, announced Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill) and Sen. David Argall (R-29). Preliminary plans for the block aim to build 36 residential units for senior citizens.
“This is a HUGE deal for Shenandoah – an entire blighted city block will be demolished and transformed into a safe, accessible and affordable senior housing complex,” said Twardzik. “A neighborhood will be free from long-abandoned and fire-damaged businesses and dangerous, collapsing row homes. No one should have to tolerate blight. Sen. Argall and his staff have been battling blight for many years and I am extremely happy to join him these past two years in my role representing the 123rd District in the House of Representatives. We have been able to collaborate and secure funding to assist many communities in their battle against blight – including this transformational housing development.”
“This project to breathe new life into Shenandoah is the perfect example of a public private partnership – it would not be possible without Michael and Patricia O’Connor of Par King Inc., the Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority, or the Borough of Shenandoah,” added Argall. “Thanks to all their hard work, what is now over 20 blighted and decaying properties will help address the housing shortage in Schuylkill County in the future.”
An additional $500,000 will be awarded to Schuylkill County’s demolition fund, to help continue the efforts to tear down blighted properties.
Previous grants awarded to the demolition fund resulted in the tearing down of 79 properties in 18 different communities, including Pottsville, Minersville, Girardville, Tower City, Palo Alto, Frackville and Shenandoah. Sixty additional properties are anticipated to be added to this total in the coming years.
“Our small towns where our ancestors settled and worked hard to fuel the industrial revolution remain great places to work, play and raise a family, while living out the ‘American Dream,’” Twardzik concluded.
Rep. Tim Twardzik
123rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Katie Park
717.260.6486
kpark@pahousegop.com
RepTimTwardzik.com /
Facebook.com/RepTwardzik
Sen. David Argall
Media Contact: Jim Brugger
717.787.2637
jbrugger@pasen.gov