The city of Butler will receive state money to make improvements to a local park.
According to State Representative Marci Mustello, the Butler County Redevelopment Authority will receive $102,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority Blight Remediation Grant Program.
The money will be used to demolish the old pool house and fill in the swimming pool at Memorial Park resulting in green space for community use and the possibility of future development.
Director of Parks, Recreation, and Public Property Councilman Jeff Smith explains the benefit of taking this action for the city and residents:
“The biggest benefit that I see from this grant is not necessarily what might be built there but for 15 years when people went to Memorial Park which is a great facility now, when you come into the entrance, there’s always been this reminder of what used to be and I think when people keep getting focused on what used to be, it makes it hard for them to really look forward to see what could be in the future.”
As part of this program, the city will contribute a local match of about $10,000. The job is likely to be bid within the next month with completion expected by sometime this fall. The Memorial Park Pool and Bathhouse has been closed for 15 years.
