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Faith-based development moving forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Rich Dieter, 412-773-0899
rcdieter@verizon.net
FAITH-BASED DEVELOPMENT MOVING FORWARD
Financial pledges currently being accepted
TARENTUM, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — When Dave Rankin first envisioned the development of The Depot as a center for meetings, social gatherings and washing clothes, he never dreamed that the community response would be so great. Rankin, a leader in Central Presbyterian Church, also active in many other church activities, is the Executive Director of Faith Community Partners (FCP).
The Depot is part of a larger planned development for downtown Tarentum. Under the auspices of Faith Community Partners, the mission arm of Central Presbyterian Church, it has spearheaded “Renew Tarentum”, a campaign that will raise the funds to renovate The Depot and bring attention to the downtown business district.
To date, Faith Community Partners has received over $25,000 in pledges toward its initial goal of $55,000. This amount will cover architectural, engineering and other costs associated with preparing the building for total renovations.
At a recent presentation with business owners from Tarentum, there was enthusiasm for the planned downtown revitalization – something that has eluded Tarentum for decades.
“We are very positive about developing The Depot in downtown”, said Rankin. He continued, “Our project will bring people into the business district, which, we feel, will encourage more development”.
The developer chosen by FCP, Keystone Hope Development Corporation, was represented at the meeting by its president who had this to say: “We are so pleased to have been chosen to partner with FCP in the development of their first project” said Tay Waltenbaugh. Waltenbaugh is also the CEO of Westmoreland Community Action, one of the largest human services organizations Westmoreland County.
“We are eager to get moving on our development agenda which has been three years in the making”, quipped Rankin. “We’ve been gaining community support while receiving several financial pledges that will help our plans become a reality”, he continued.
Pastor Robert Dayton of Central Presbyterian Church, and a board member of FCP, believes that the excitement will build once the architect’s drawings are completed. “The drawings will be a key part of our capital campaign to raise close to $1 million for creating a wonderful resource for the community” said Dayton. “The wi-fi cafe, laundromat and social service offices will be a central gathering place that will benefit residents of the entire region”, Dayton concluded.
Anticipated grand opening of The Depot will be in 2019.
The Depot is part of a larger planned development for downtown Tarentum. Under the auspices of Faith Community Partners, the mission arm of Central Presbyterian Church, it has spearheaded “Renew Tarentum”, a campaign that will raise the funds to renovate The Depot and bring attention to the downtown business district.
To date, Faith Community Partners has received over $25,000 in pledges toward its initial goal of $55,000. This amount will cover architectural, engineering and other costs associated with preparing the building for total renovations.
At a recent presentation with business owners from Tarentum, there was enthusiasm for the planned downtown revitalization – something that has eluded Tarentum for decades.
“We are very positive about developing The Depot in downtown”, said Rankin. He continued, “Our project will bring people into the business district, which, we feel, will encourage more development”.
The developer chosen by FCP, Keystone Hope Development Corporation, was represented at the meeting by its president who had this to say: “We are so pleased to have been chosen to partner with FCP in the development of their first project” said Tay Waltenbaugh. Waltenbaugh is also the CEO of Westmoreland Community Action, one of the largest human services organizations Westmoreland County.
“We are eager to get moving on our development agenda which has been three years in the making”, quipped Rankin. “We’ve been gaining community support while receiving several financial pledges that will help our plans become a reality”, he continued.
Pastor Robert Dayton of Central Presbyterian Church, and a board member of FCP, believes that the excitement will build once the architect’s drawings are completed. “The drawings will be a key part of our capital campaign to raise close to $1 million for creating a wonderful resource for the community” said Dayton. “The wi-fi cafe, laundromat and social service offices will be a central gathering place that will benefit residents of the entire region”, Dayton concluded.
Anticipated grand opening of The Depot will be in 2019.
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