Letter to the editor: Making good use of New Kensington's riverfront

I feel it is more important now than ever to proceed with utilizing our riverfront in New Kensington. Our entire riverfront is zoned I-2, “heavy industrial.” Other communities in our region have taken advantage of their riverfronts.

Oakmont is a good example, where the old Edgewater Steel Plant closed in 2001. The old Alcoa Plant is now the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park. The state has committed millions to this project, and its anchor tenant, Re:Build Manufacturing, has over $80 million committed to it.

Being a member of the New Kensington Planning Commission, I requested the commission have a general discussion regarding updating zoning districts and uses. We will be discussing the riverfront going from the Ninth Street Bridge into Parnassus along with areas zoned for industrial use behind City Hall and the post office.

Industry 4.0 and 5.0 will play a big part in our region’s revitalization. My hope is to lay the groundwork for research, education and workforce development in those areas of Fourth and Fifth avenues.

Marvin Birner

New Kensington