FARRELL City seeks state grant to rebuild apartments

The Steel City Terrace project has a total cost estimated at $30 million.
FARRELL, Pa. -- City council will file an application seeking some $2 million in state aid to help finance the Steel City Terrace apartment complex rebuilding project.
The Steel City Housing Partnership, which comprises the Mercer County Housing Authority and its development partner for this project, Ralph Falbo of Pittsburgh, asked the city Monday to apply for $2,046,212 in Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development funding for the project.
The partnership isn't eligible to apply for the grant, but the city is.
Grant use: The money could be used for property acquisition, general construction, infrastructure improvements or a number of other project costs.
City Manager LaVon Saternow said council was willing to help, noting that the money would be a grant, not a loan, and wouldn't have to be repaid.
L. DeWitt Boosel, housing authority executive director, said two weeks ago that financing for phase one of the project, $8.7 million, is in place.
However, the total project cost is expected to reach $30 million.
Federal grants totaling $9 million have been allocated to the project, which will involve razing the old 100-unit barracks-style housing complex and replacing it with more modern, community-oriented housing that blends in with the surrounding community.
A total of 135 rental units and units for sale will replace Steel City Terrace. The project will reach out into the surrounding neighborhood, and involve building new housing units or buying and renovating older ones.