A streetscape revitalization plan for 1.5 miles of Route 50 through Heidelberg, Scott and Carnegie has received some recent boosts.

The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County voted Feb. 24 to award the three communities a $250,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund grant.

The money will be used for beautification and safety improvements, such as sidewalk installation and reconstruction along the Route 50 corridor, which is known locally as East Railroad Street in Heidelberg, Carothers Avenue in Scott and Third Street in Carnegie.

Also, Carnegie officials learned last week that a vacant apartment building at Third Street and First Avenue has been purchased at a tax sale for possible conversion into a combination coffee shop/art store/condominium complex.

The tri-community streetscape renewal began with a $2.4 million federal Department of Transportation grant obtained in 2008 through the efforts of U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.

The money would be used for decorative street lighting and ornamental furniture, infrastructure improvements, as well as handicapped-accessible walkways and traffic signs.

The project's intent is to beautify the well-used corridor and stimulate its business environment.

Heidelberg manager Joe Kauer said the federal money has been transferred to the state Department of Transportation's District 11 offices in Collier and that Trans Associates has been hired as the design engineer for the project.

With this year serving as design time, Mr. Kauer said he expects roadwork to commence in 2011. Sidewalks along Route 50 that are in disrepair can be corrected and about 20,000 square feet of new sidewalk will be installed for the first time on the west side of the road.

In Carnegie, officials learned that Architectural Restoration Consultants Inc. has purchased the Pucci apartment building near Chartiers Creek. The new owners are planning to develop the three-story building into four to six condominium units with from one to three commercial spaces on the first floor.

"It's going to be a gem," said Todd Calef of ARC. "We feel like this building's a winner. It just got lost in the shuffle after the flood [in 2004]."

Though he and his business partner live in Carnegie, they also have ties to California, and plan to bring a bit of that state's sunshine here. For example, they may retain the building's current yellow exterior and may add an ocean-themed mural on an outside wall.

They are even thinking of renaming the structure "The California Building."

Because the purchase took place just last week, planning is in the early stages. Though there's much work to be done, Mr. Calef said the building "has the potential to be amazing."

Carnegie manager Whitney Brady said officials were pleased to learn of the recent sale.

"I'm really happy that they took the time to come to council and tell us what they were planning," she said.

Heidelberg Mayor Ken LaSota believes the Route 50 corridor rehabilitation will be "a transforming event in the history of these three communities."

"The character of the communities will be changed as the corridor becomes a pleasant and safe, walkable urban boulevard connecting the business centers of the towns and uniting the citizens of the towns with an aesthetically pleasing and safe mode of transport to visit friends and family via car, foot or bicycle," he said.

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