The walls of a former school are tumbling down to make way for new, affordable senior citizen housing in East Vandergrift.
The Morning Sun Senior Lofts project is a $16 million residential complex that will offer 41 units for seniors 55 and older in the former East Vandergrift Elementary School at 434 McKinley Ave.
“People are excited about it,” said McKinley Avenue resident and former East Vandergrift Elementary student Adam Coleman, 47. “It was a bad eyesore, and it will help our home value now with new construction.”
Coleman lives across the street from the project, first identified in 2018 as a key transformation target in the Alle-Kiski Valley region by the Westmoreland County Planning Department.
Coleman attended East Vandergrift for first through fourth grades. When he heard about the building’s impending demolition, he made sure to show his children the school grounds and reminisce about his days there.
“It’s pretty wild to see it all torn down and neat to see the different changes coming to town,” Coleman said.
Demolition began in early September, after the project had been placed on hold in January 2022 because the borough was denied about $12 million in tax credits in November 2021 from the Pennsylvania Finance Housing Agency.
Officials resubmitted the application in 2022, and the agency awarded a $1.3 million tax credit from the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and a $1.2 million grant.
“It’s on target, and everyone is really excited to see things moving forward,” Councilwoman Karen Virostek said. “It’s great news for the town, and we are moving forward.”
Virostek said the building will house 41 units, one less than previously reported.
Borough officials said the project is on budget and scheduled to be completed by September.
The facility is expected to bring about five new jobs to the borough.
The facade of the school, which has a sunrise image etched in concrete above the entrance, will be preserved and incorporated into the new construction.
“It’s a piece of history,” Virostek said. “Borough residents were adamant about saving it.”
Coleman’s wife, Deanna, is happy to see progress in the borough.
“There were animals in and out of there — skunks — and kids would sneak in, so it was a safety issue,” she said. “East Vandergrift is moving up, and it’s good to see new things happening.”
McKinley Avenue is expected to remain open throughout the project.
When completed, qualifying low-income residents will reside in one- or two-bedroom apartments.
To qualify for an apartment, applicants must provide proof of income ranging from 20% to 60% of the area average income, which is about $42,262, according to U.S. Census data.
Amenities will include an outdoor seating area, fitness room, laundry and trash facilities, a community social room with a kitchenette and a mail room.
The former school, built in the 1930s, closed in 1989 and remained condemned and abandoned for the past decade.
The building most recently was used as a church and is owned by the Westmoreland County Land Bank.
Kiski Area student Tyler Coleman recently watched crews from Mistick Construction work from his front porch.
“I was surprised at how fast they tore it down,” Tyler said.
The East Vandergrift Senior Center, located a few doors down from the school on McKinley, will not relocate to the new building, Virostek said.
Borough officials are hopeful the new senior residence will spur further development in the geographically compact borough of about 600 residents.
“We’ve been identifying what residents want, and a grocery store is a No. 1 priority,” Virostek said.
Borough officials are asking residents to be patient with the construction process.
“I’m sure the people living there are having some issues with parking, noise and dirt, but it won’t last forever,” Virostek said.
