This cooperative agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the city of mckeesport

Specifically, the recipient will use these funds to design and implement new programs and enhance current programs. All activities will address: 1) negative environmental and health issues associated with air pollution, stormwater management, urban heat island effect, and lack of greenspace in priority locations identified by the city, its community-based organizations (cbos), and the community; 2) poor health outcomes associated the lack of a sufficient tree canopy. Activities:the activities to be performed include: (1) the planting of 150 trees; (2) the formation of a green team to provide community service opportunities, paid positions for local teens, and job training; (3) a feasibility study to determine the efficacy of creating a new neighborhood on an abandoned residential brownfield including affordable, energy efficient housing, greenspace, and an integrated urban farm that will provide fresh produce, job training and paid positions to underserved residents; and (4) the continuation of the city's successful small scale cleanup program, which removes hazardous debris and trash from hundreds of abandoned lots throughout the city. Subrecipient:subaward 1 - $294,537 - western PA conservancy will provide: 1) community outreach and education, tree, and green infrastructure planning, as well as administrative and supervisory support; 2) a total of 150 balled and burlap-wrapped, landscape trees for selected locations in community parks, and streets. Mulch, soil, stakes, etc. Including tree planting preparation; 3) an engineering analysis and design, including hydrologic analysis for stormwater management, developing construction documents and reports. Subaward 2 - $266,679 - tube city renaissance will provide community outreach and engagement, including community meetings, providing, and distributing information, coordinating activities and events. Subaward 3 - $105,000 - student conservation association, INC., (green team) will provide the salaried expenses of a full-time fellow whose position will focus on tube city renaissance's green team, including program design and direct supervision of the green team participants. Subaward 4 - $45,000 - allegheny clean ways will provide personnel costs of working with the city of mckeesport and provide assistance to the core team to do small-scale cleanup projects each year in designated locations of our target area. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables are: 1) quarterly reports; 2) planting of 150 trees in identified priority locations; 3) seventeen community engagement meetings addressing key issues of environmental and public health, including combatting waste and pollution through advocacy and policy development, education, and training; and 4) reuse feasibility study. The expected outcomes are: 1) increase in community input and participation; 2) increase in youth participation and career preparation; 3) blight reduction in disadvantaged areas from small-scale cleanups and potential redevelopment. The intended beneficiaries are the residents of the city of mckeesport.