Causer Announces State Funding for McKean County Projects

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today announced $6 million in state funding for two Bradford-area community development projects.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford was awarded $3 million for renovations to the Seneca Building, including development of the Marilyn Horne Exhibit Center, and Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems/Children’s Home of Bradford was also awarded $3 million for the first phase of its facilities improvement project plan. The funding comes from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) and will go through the McKean County Industrial Development Authority. Every dollar received in RACP funds must be matched with local or other non-state funds.

“These are major investments that will have a significant positive impact on our community,” said Causer. “The Seneca Building renovation will provide a much-needed boost to downtown Bradford, and the additions and improvements at Beacon Light will help extend services to even more young people in need of assistance.

“I was pleased to work closely with Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Brockway) in support of these initiatives, and I thank Gov. Tom Corbett for releasing the funds to make these projects a reality,” he added.

Located on Main Street in Bradford, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Seneca Building project will encompass renovations to the first floor and significant upgrades to the building’s infrastructure. Those upgrades will include new heating, ventilation and air conditioning; replacement of the elevator in the existing lobby area; installation of a plumbing backflow preventer, fire pump and stand pipe, emergency power generator and building-wide security system; site work to improve access under the Americans with Disabilities Act; signs and façade improvements; and parking lot repairs. The renovation of the first floor will also facilitate creation of the new Marilyn Horne Exhibit Center, which will provide rotating, interactive exhibits and museum-quality displays.

The Children’s Home of Bradford, now Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems, has been providing support to the region’s young people for more than a century. The agency is embarking on a 10-year facilities improvement plan in order to sustain and grow its services. The funding provided through the RACP grant will go toward construction of a 10-bedroom addition to the existing residential building at 800 E. Main St. in Bradford, as well as a number of upgrades to the administration building, including accessibility and safety improvements, office renovations and construction of a 7,000-square-foot training center. The project also includes demolition of a record-storage building to make room for a 90-space parking area.

RACP provides grants to local communities for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects.