The Depot Wi-Fi cafe and laundromat in Tarentum still in the works

A community resource center in Tarentum that was expected to open in 2021 is slowly rebounding from what organizers say was a covid-induced stall.

The Depot, in the 300 block of Fifth Avenue, was hailed as a first-of-its-kind co-working space with a Wi-Fi cafe and laundromat.

Backed by nonprofit Faith Community Partners, The Depot project received several state grants totalling more than $500,000 to transform a former ceramics store into a training and gathering spot.

“But then covid hit and everything stopped,” said Dave Rankin, head of the nonprofit.

“Cuts in funding have caused us to hit snags. We’ve had no progress for two years because of covid.

“Now, we’re exploring what it’s going to take to just get the laundry open.”

Faith Community Partners was launched in 2015 by members of Central Presbyterian Church, also in Tarentum. The group sought to complete a $1 million renovation of the space by 2016.

But Rankin said it took time for funding sources to get on board.

The 10,000-square-foot building has sat empty since it was purchased.

By 2018, the group gained momentum. It received a $67,600 grant to replace the roof and a stormwater system. It also got a nearly $211,000 state grant to help pay for excavation of The Depot’s basement to accommodate the laundromat.

The money from the Department of Community and Economic Development was used to deepen the floors and transform what was basically a crawlspace.

Buffalo Township businessman Joe DeCroo signed a 20-year lease to operate the laundry facility and is eager to see the doors open. DeCroo also owns Plaza Laundry in Harrison and the Springdale Laundromat.

“I’ve been ready to go for three years,” DeCroo said. “I’ve had to change my plans a couple times, but I’m still committed. I think it will be a great asset to the community.”

If all goes as planned, the laundry service could be up and running by spring, he said.

He plans to have five or six different sized, high-tech machines that will accept cash or credit. The laundromat will take up about 2,000 square feet on the first floor.

Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said community leaders are looking forward to seeing work resume.

“The borough welcomes businesses, particularly ones that serve unmet needs,” he said.

On Friday, Rankin said that in light of residual funding effects from covid-19, project leaders have switched gears.

“The nature of grant funding has changed completely,” Rankin said. “Funding from the government and from foundations all shifted to covid-related initiatives. We had some expected grants that didn’t come through.”

The initial plan was to get the entire first floor ready to go, which would have included a food-related venture, he said. But “we’ve decided to go to Plan B.”

Architects are working on plans now.

“Our plan was to raise the floor in the café and put a new facade on the Fourth Avenue side, but the money is not there,” Rankin said.

“We’re looking to get the laundromat ready, and we’re hopeful that the funding will fall into place. It might look like nothing is happening, but things are very much happening.”

Rankin said the most recent round of construction in 2020 included installation of a new facade on Fifth Avenue and site work for the laundry. Floor drains and utilities are all in place, he said.

He is waiting on blueprints to determine how much money the group needs. Grant proposals are going out, and the waiting game has begun, Rankin said.

Karen Snair, Faith board member, said she’s hopeful the project is moving forward.

“We’re very excited and hope that new construction bids will help the process to move forward more quickly,” she said.

Rankin added: “If this was being done with private funding, it would be done by now. But getting government money is not easy.”