PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato today announced that the Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) to be used toward Phase 1 development of the Allegheny County Sports & Athletic Complex at Montour Junction, a new recreational facility located on a 78-acre brownfield in Coraopolis, Moon Township, and Robinson Township.

“Our goal is to transform this vacant brownfield into a world-class recreational facility,” said Onorato. “I want to thank the Richard King Mellon Foundation for its generous grant, which will help us make this dormant property a wonderful asset for our region.”

The development plan includes a number of nontraditional athletic fields, such as rugby, soccer and lacrosse, as well as recreational programming, trout fishing, and an extension of the Montour Trail. The site, commonly referred to as Montour Junction, is bordered by Pa. Route 51 to the west and south, the Coraopolis Bridge and CSX Railroad to the north, and residential areas to the east. The head of the Montour Trail is approximately one-fifth of a mile to the south. Montour Run, a stocked trout stream, bisects the property.

The County expects to take ownership of the property this fall through a donation from the Sports Legacy Foundation  The RAAC has obtained all necessary environmental approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and completed a transportation study for the site.  RAAC also continues to actively seek the remaining funding needed to complete all phases of the development.

“I also want to thank the Sports Legacy Foundation for its vision and for partnering with the County to add to our parks, trails and greenways,” added Onorato. “Allegheny County has more than 12,000 acres of parkland, and our trail system continues to grow along our rivers and throughout our communities. This Montour Junction property will be a great addition to our parks and trails.”

The property was formerly owned and operated by the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad.

For additional information on the Allegheny County Sports & Athletic Complex at Montour Junction, including Phase 1 & 2 site plans, visit  www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/mjfac.aspx.

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