Abney announces state investments for Pittsburgh communities

Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney    September 15, 2026 | 10:52 AM

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Aerion Abney today announced more than $3.5 million in Local Share Account funding for Pittsburgh-area projects that will expand access to essential services, strengthen neighborhood infrastructure, preserve historic community assets and improve public spaces.

The announcement also includes a city of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire engine investment secured by the full Pittsburgh Delegation and a Pittsburgh Land Bank award that Abney secured in partnership with state Rep. Jessica Benham.

"These investments deliver real, lasting improvements for residents throughout Pittsburgh," Abney said. "From bringing library services directly to older adults and ensuring emergency power for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, to creating childcare, expanding educational resources, improving accessibility and revitalizing neighborhood landmarks, these grants meet practical needs while helping our communities grow stronger."

The grants include:

$338,071 for the Allegheny County Library Association's new bookmobile. This funding will replace the association's nearly 15-year-old bookmobile, helping it continue bringing books, materials, and library services directly to people who may not be able to visit a library branch.

$150,000 for a backup generator at the Center for Hearing & Deaf Services. The grant will help the center install a commercial backup generator at its Fifth Avenue building.

$400,000 for the Perry Hilltop Citizens Council's 2610 Perrysville Project. This investment will help turn a long-vacant former American Legion Lodge into a licensed childcare and community event center. The project will preserve an important neighborhood building, create a space for families and community gatherings, and bring new activity to the Perrysville Avenue corridor.

$200,000 for accessible public restrooms at Allegheny Landing. Riverlife will use this funding to build a permanent, ADA-accessible restroom facility along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail at Allegheny Landing Park. With more than 1.3 million visits to the trail each year, this project will give walkers, cyclists, families, and visitors access to a basic amenity that supports a more welcoming and usable riverfront.

$550,000 for The Education Partnership's warehouse expansion. The Education Partnership supplies teachers and students throughout southwestern Pennsylvania with the materials they need to learn and succeed. This grant will help the organization build a larger warehouse so it can accept more donations and distribute more school supplies to classrooms across the region, where one in three students lacks essential supplies.

$500,000 for an ADA-compliant elevator at the Neighborhood Resilience Project. The Neighborhood Resilience Project is expanding its Hill District facility at 2038 Bedford Ave. This funding will help install an elevator so that people with disabilities, seniors, and families can fully access the organization's trauma-informed services and programs on every floor of the building.

$207,544 for the second phase of the Historic Tito House redevelopment. The funding will help Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh move forward with foundation work, waterproofing, site preparation, and structural construction at the historic Tito House. Saving the building will preserve a distinctive part of Uptown's history, address blight, and help create new opportunities for the neighborhood.

$800,000 for a city of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire engine. This investment will help Pittsburgh firefighters continue responding to emergencies with the equipment they need to protect residents, businesses, and neighborhoods.

$450,000 for the Pittsburgh Land Bank. This funding will help the Land Bank continue its work to move vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties back into productive use, creating opportunities for housing, redevelopment, and stronger neighborhoods.

"These organizations and public partners know their neighborhoods and the people they serve," Abney said. "I am proud to support their work, and I am grateful to my colleagues in the Pittsburgh Delegation for working together to direct state resources toward projects that make Pittsburgh more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant."

The Local Share Account program distributes gaming revenue through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for projects that serve the public interest and improve communities' quality of life. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, redevelopment authorities, land banks, councils of government, and economic-development agencies.

Abney represents the 19th Legislative District, comprised of the Hill District, North Side, South Side, Allentown, Hazelwood, Downtown, The Bluff, Knoxville, Beltzhoover, Manchester, Windgap, Chartiers, Sheraden, Elliot, and the North, South and West Oakland sections of Pittsburgh.

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