Tarentum, Cheswick eyeing regional riverfront development

Boat docks are all but gone from the Tarentum riverfront, but they could return in the coming years, alongside a fishing pier, bike trail, canoe rentals or places to eat.

The borough is teaming with Cheswick to devise a riverfront development plan to focus on public access to the shoreline and help promote economic gains in both towns.

“Our riverfront is by far our best area for redevelopment,” Tarentum Council President Scott Dadowski said. “It is one of the most beautiful areas in the borough. There are many municipalities that would jump at the chance to have a piece of riverfront property that basically spans the border of the town.”

State Sen. Lindsey Williams toured the areas with state Rep. Mandy Steele, along with members of the state Fish and Boat Commission, to consider the possibilities.

“The big picture of it is we have an opportunity to improve access to the river at Rachel Carson Park,” Cheswick Councilman Brad Yaksich said.

Williams, whose district includes part of the Alle-Kiski Valley, a small section of Pittsburgh and several North Hills suburbs, said the municipalities are “rightfully proud of the incredible industrial history of the Allegheny River, and it is wonderful to see these same communities embrace our waterways for more than just industrial use.

“We have seen incredible success in the riverfront development in the City of Pittsburgh, which is now moving upriver into the Allegheny Valley and offering opportunities to connect residents to our waterways and to one another.”

Tarentum and Cheswick will apply for a $25,000 planning grant through the state. Submitting the application together increases the chances of approval, according to Tarentum Manager Dwight Boddorf.

“It shows the opportunity for regional transformation,” he said.

The application is due by the end of the month. Cheswick Council will consider authorizing its participation with Tarentum and applying for the grant at its meeting Tuesday.

People will get a chance to give input on potential recreation and business. Dadowski urges residents to make their voices heard.

“We want to hear from our residents about what they want in their town, along their portion of the river,” he said.

Dadowski believes the area is prime real estate for a restaurant, canoe rentals or similar ventures.

He wants to see public and private boating access and envisions weekend boaters docking and walking through town to explore.

“It has been successful in other municipalities up and down the Allegheny,” Dadowski said.

Yaksich said the opportunities in Cheswick could consist of a kayak launch and river access. The opportunity previously was limited in the borough because of barge traffic from the now-razed power plant in neighboring Springdale.

He said the park has beautiful views, and the borough would like to have more fishing access and bring more people to town.

“The opportunity is there for us to truly make a riverfront park at the riverfront,” Yaksich said.

Steele, whose 33rd District stretches from Aspinwall to Tarentum, called the riverfront a long-overlooked regional asset.

“When we look at the county as a whole, the place of logical expansion and growth is the Allegheny Valley,” Steele said. “The historically vibrant communities of the Valley have proximity to the city and East End via our newly improved section of Route 28, excellent housing stock and lie entirely along an especially beautiful stretch of the Allegheny River. Our immediate downstream neighbors are experiencing a revitalization, and the key to building upon that growth is the river.”

Friends of the Riverfront, which oversees the 33-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail, is assisting Tarentum and Cheswick with links to the larger trail that runs through the city.

In Tarentum, an $8.7 million path will wind about 1.3 miles through the borough and into East Deer. It will be constructed through Riverview Memorial Park with sweeping views of the river.

In Cheswick, a 1-mile trail will stretch from Rachel Carson Park to the Harmar border, with parts along the riverfront and through the borough.

Courtney Mahronich Vita, Friends’ director of trail development, said the trails provide opportunities for healthy activities and also draw visitors.

Tarentum Councilwoman Carrie Fox agreed.

“It will be a huge asset,” she said. “It will add so much opportunity for people to get a bite to eat or try somewhere new. The same could apply to boaters. They could dock and listen to a concert or grab a cup of coffee.”

Williams said Tarentum is in a unique position because the borough already owns so much of the property along the river.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the Tarentum community and other state and federal partners to bring investments into riverfront access for Allegheny Valley residents,” she said.

Of the potential development, Dadowski added, “I think it can truly be a gem of the A-K Valley.”