SHARON Mayor lists projects for state to fund

The city's proposal is a mix of public, private and nonprofit projects.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- When Gov. Ed Rendell asked the state's Third Class cities to give him a wish list of economic development projects, the city of Sharon didn't hesitate.
Mayor David O. Ryan said he and local business and other representatives presented a list of seven projects -- municipal, private and nonprofit, costing millions -- to the newly created Governor's Office of Housing and Community Revitalization last week.
Whether the city will receive any funding assistance depends on the governor's being able to get his economic stimulus plan in place, Ryan said, noting that Rendell is trying to win legislative approval for a $2 billion bond sale to fund that package.
Some of Sharon's projects have already been started with local or state funds, Ryan said.
Projects
The projects, listed in order of priority, are:
USharon Comprehensive Downtown Revitalization: A three-year project with a cost of $9,556,000 to improve gateway entrances to the business district and make other improvements.
UNeighborhood Revitalization: The city wants to make various infrastructure improvements in residential areas over a three- to five-year period at a cost estimated at $10 million.
UPenn State Shenango: The campus wants to improve its buildings and campus area over a period of three years at a cost estimated at $6 million to $7 million.
USharon Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan: Recreational improvements over a 10-year period. No cost estimate given.
UWinner Westinghouse Industrial Park and Incubator: Private developer renovating the old Westinghouse Electric plant on Sharpsville Avenue in a project estimated at $49 million.
UShenango Valley Industrial Development Corp.: The nonprofit group has cleared and is preparing the former National Castings plant site on South Dock Street for new industrial development. No cost estimate given.
USharon Regional Health System: The hospital plans to expand its nursing education program and has some capital projects in mind at a cost of $6 million.