The Depot, a digital resource center and laundromat, hopes to finally move forward in Tarentum

By this time next year, people might be able to find digital resources and do their laundry all in one Tarentum storefront.

Wheels are in motion — after a three-year delay — to transform an East Fifth Avenue building into a gathering and training space.

The Depot is a former ceramics shop that, when complete, will offer space where people can connect and get help with tele-health, job training, education and other online needs.

“It’s all about digital equity,” said Dave Rankin, executive director of Faith Community Partners.

“We’ve been working since last fall on some new opportunities, and the pieces are starting to fall into place.”

Rankin’s nonprofit was launched in 2015 by members of Central Presbyterian Church, also in Tarentum, and is spearheading a multimillion-dollar transformation of the 10,000-square-foot building.

This spring, they applied for a $1.9 million grant through the American Rescue Plan Act to complete work that began before the pandemic.

If approved, the money would nearly cover the extent of renovations, Rankin said.

Already, there are two tenants waiting for the doors to open.

Community Internet Solutions, a nonprofit that operates on Corbet Street in Tarentum, hopes to provide a digital resource center where people can access online tools and tips. Their mission is to offer low-cost or free internet to those in need.

The group would occupy about 1,000 feet of space on the first floor, as well as the entire second floor.

Buffalo Township businessman Joe DeCroo has been on board since the beginning to operate a laundry facility. He signed a 20-year lease when the site was expected to open in 2021.

DeCroo also owns Plaza Laundry in Harrison and the Springdale Laundromat.

High-tech machines will accept cash or credit. The laundromat will take up about 2,000 square feet on the first floor.

Faith board member Jim Bonner looks forward to the project moving forward.

“Completing the building would be fantastic for the community,” he said.

“It’s been a long road with funding challenges and covid, but everyone would be happy and excited to see this done.”

Faith Community Partners earned several grants when the project first launched, having received a nearly $211,000 state grant to help pay for basement excavation.

It also got $67,600 to replace the roof and a stormwater system.

Work was stopped because of covid-related funding cuts, Rankin said.

He expects to hear by July about the new grant.

“This has a relatively quick turnaround for a federal program,” he said. “If approved, the funds would need to be spent within the next year or so.”