The Hispanic Alliance of Contractors and Enterprises will use the “Reconnecting Communities”  funding to conduct a community-led, two-year study focused on safety, mobility and quality of life issues in the community.

Maria Gonzalez, president of HACE, said the neighborhoods are not safe for pedestrians and cyclists due to crime, poor lighting, limited sidewalks and aging infrastructure. There have been a number of pedestrian fatalities in the area, Gonzalez said.

“It’s not safe when [residents] have to have eyes in the back of their head when they want to cross the street, and they wouldn’t even dream of biking around the neighborhood,” she said. “No one wants to live in chaos. They want a safe, clean, vibrant living environment so they can feel good about themselves when they come home or leave their homes.”

Since 2018, HACE and other organizations, such as the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, have been working to revitalize the Richmond Industrial Track, including connecting the area to the larger Circuit Trails network.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is stuck in a 101-101 partisan divide following the sudden death of one of its Democratic members, leaving the chamber deadlocked until a special election is held.

Rep. Matt Gergely, a Democrat representing part of Allegheny County, died on Sunday at the age of 45, the House Democratic caucus announced.

The cause of his death is unclear, but Gergely had been missing from the chamber since the New Year due to a “medical emergency over the holidays requiring hospitalization,” Beth Rementer, the House Democratic caucus spokesperson, shared at the time. They were not expecting him to return “for some time.”

House Democrats clinched a one-seat edge over the Republicans during November’s election. Gergely’s death brings the chamber to a stalled split until a special election is held to fill his vacant seat representing the largely Democratic district that includes Pittsburgh.

Sudden vacancies had plagued the House Democrats during the last two-year session, often delaying the lawmaking process.

Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Democrat representing Philadelphia, will announce a special election at a later date, House Democrats said in their statement. 

“Matt will be desperately missed in Harrisburg and we know his passing is a tremendous loss to his communities in Western Pennsylvania. Please join us in keeping his wife and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this tragic time,” their statement said.

With Post wires