| BDAC's MISSION |
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To serve as a an action-oriented community -based group, committed to advising and supporting the Borough through a comprehensive initiative to revitalize Swissvale's central business district.
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Please Forward
E-Newsletter!
Spread the word about the great things happening in YOUR downtown by clicking on "Forward Email" located at the bottom of this column. Thank you!
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| ALLEGHENY TOGETHER |
Allegheny Together endeavors to encourage well-planned, well-designed and geographically-focused investment in the established, urban commercial districts of Allegheny County while respecting the unique history, character, and built environment of each. The program aims to help organize and empower each community to fulfill its collective vision. |
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A PROGRAM OF
Alleghenty County Economic Development |
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Downtown Recognition Award 
The Swissvale Business District Advisory Committee has chosen Krohmaly Printing and Signs for its 3rd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2009.
Krohmaly's was founded in 1957 by Arnold Krohmaly of North Braddock. Arnold was born in North Braddock and as a young child he returned to Slovakia. Arnold studied printing in Presov, Slovakia. He then returned to Pittsburgh, PA where he opened his first printing business in the basement of his home on McDonugh Avenue in North Braddock. Shortly after he rented property on Woodstock Avenue in Swissvale and developed a printing business that he hoped one day would grow. Several years later in 1961 he was introduced to additional property on Washington Avenue. He built his printing shop and from there you could walk into this business and see Arnold and his son print on his historic Linotype, Heidelberg and Printing Presses.
Since then Krohmaly's changed with the times. Bob and his wife Patti went digital and upgraded the printing equipment. Their business continues to grow - they have branched out into the sign business and, gratefully, are maintaining steady business through these tough economic times. Krohmaly's provides a full range of printing services to fit every budget. In many cases, jobs can be emailed to Krohmaly's. A proof is then emailed to the client for approval, and before you know it your printing job has been shipped to your business - - all without you having to leave the office.
Bob and Patti are community-minded people who assist with printing jobs for numerous non-profit agencies within the borough and support the many local youth and borough-related activities. Swissvale is proud to have Krohmaly's Printing in the community for over 50 years.
Krohmaly Printing and Signs
7425 Washington Avenue
Swissvale PA 15218
412-271-4234
kroprint@aol.com
Owners: Bob and Patti Krohmaly
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Upcoming Events 
One Man's Junk is Another Man's Treasure
A 20+ family yard sale will be held the full length of McClure Avenue from South Braddock to Pocono Avenues to celebrate National Yard Sale Day
August 8
Starting at 8 AM 
Family Movie Night
August 6, 13, 20, 27
September 3, 10, 17 24
Memorial Field at 8 PM
(Weather permitting)
Swissvale Rotary Annual Corn Roast
September 10 from 4 to 7 PM
Swissvale Presbyterian Church
$7/adult and $4/children
"All you can eat corn", ham barbecue, beverage & dessert |
TCA Update
DowntownProperties.Net 
DowntownProperties.net is a new business recruitment tool being offered to communities by Town Center Associates. The website is a central source of information of properties available for sale or lease in your downtown. Properties in the business district can be listed on DowntownProperties.net at no charge to building owners and/or real estate professionals.
Please visit www.downtownproperties.net for an easily accessible listing of property availability in Allegheny Together communities as well as other downtown-based Western Pennsylvania communities. If you have a property located in your community's downtown which does not already appear on the site and you would like to have it listed, please call Town Center Associates at 412-577-7447.
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Downtown Façade Restoration Assistance
The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) is offering assistance to business owners and building owners who wish to make physical improvements to their building façades through the Allegheny Restores Program.
The following criteria will be used to determine whether an applicant is eligible for a façade renovation grant.
- LOCATION: Businesses must be located in an Allegheny Together community that is in year two or beyond of the program. Projects located within the core business district boundary will be given priority.
- TYPE OF BUSINESS: Eligible businesses include commercial establishments with street-level storefront entrances.
Note: Preference is given to structures fifty years old or older.
- OCCUPANCY: Unoccupied buildings are eligible, but buildings currently occupied by eligible businesses will be given priority. Owner occupancy is not required; approval of tenant-initiated projects is contingent on the property owner's agreement to adhere to program requirements.
Eligible Activities Include:
1. Architectural Services
2. Improvements to the Façade of an Existing Building
including:
-Repointing and cleaning brick
-Painting walls and trim
-Repairing or replacing woodwork or other decorative architectural elements
-Installing canvas awnings
-Fabrication and installation of signage
-Installation of exterior lighting
-Restoring or rehabilitating an existing storefront
-Removing incompatible or historically inappropriate exterior finishes
-Replacing or repairing windows and doors
3. Construction of the Façade of a New Building, where the design of the façade is compatible with existing architecture in the business district.
4. Roof repair is not eligible for this program.
The next round of applications is due by September 25, 2009.
For more specific information, please visit www.alleghenytogether.com and click on "Allegheny Restores" under Special Programs in the left-hand column.
Allegheny County encourages you to please call and discuss your project with them prior to completing the application. For questions or clarification regarding the program or application please contact:
Jessica Mooney (412) 350-3300
Lance Chimka (412) 350-1018
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 PHLF Updates
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) has been pleased to be able to help Swissvale's downtown revitalization effort through several special projects that the business advisory committee has identified as a high priority.
The first of these projects is researching the ownership and current structural condition of the Washington St. bridge that spans the Port Authority bus-way. We are still working on this research, but have determined that the structure is owned by Norfolk Southern Railway and that the surface is owned by the Borough. Penn-DOT provides regular inspections and has rated the bridge in "fair" condition. We are recommending restoring the bridge by taking it back to its original silver-grey color and installing new railings that would compliment the historic character of the bridge. We see this as a better solution than installing a new bridge that would likely be a good deal more expensive and would have no character to add to the main street experience.
The business advisory committee has also asked PHLF to take a look at the former Filmet building on Washington Ave. for possible re-use. The building was built initially as a
movie theatre and was, more recently, split up inside for use as commercial space. It has been vacant now for several years. We will be looking into this in the coming months
and will also provide a rendering of this building to match our thoughts on a realistic and sustainable possible renewed use. |
| This e-newsletter was created by Town Center Asociates for the Allegheny Together Program of Allegheny County Economic Development. For more information about the Allegheny Together program, please visit www.alleghenytogether.com. | |
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