Bucks YMCA, Tech School Get State Grants For Levittown Projects

LEVITTOWN, PA —Bristol Borough and Bristol Township will receive $2.08 million in state grants for community improvements projects, officials have announced.

The projects are funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account Statewide Program. They were announced recently by Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Rep. Tina Davis (D-141).

The projects include:

• Redevelopment of Chestnut & Elm Streets in Bristol Borough- $1 million
• Bucks County Technical High School Facility Improvements- $1 million
• YMCA of Bucks & Hunterdon Counties- $83,796

In Bristol Borough, the funds will be used to continue to revitalize properties along Chestnut Street. That project received $1.3 million in state funds in October 2022 to begin work.

Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said the funding will take the Chestnut and Elm Street project to the next phase. Phase 2 includes the acquisition, demolition, and revitalization of 30 residential units on the 1000 block of Chestnut Street.

The funds for Bucks County Technical High School will be used to upgrade the existing roof and HVAC equipment at the school.

Leon Poeske, the school's administrative director, said the funds allow the school to continue making much-needed renovations of replacing a very leaky roof, replacing the end-of-life HVAC/R units, and replacing our outdated fire/security system.

The LSA grant helps the school reduce the funding gap created by the "dramatic increase in building materials and supplies."

The YMCA of Bucks & Hunterdon Counties will use the funds to purchase two cargo vans for the YMCA branch in Bristol Township. The vans will be used for the food program, summer camp, and maintenance.

“This will enable us to purchase much-needed vans to transport food, including donated produce, to support feeding programs at our childcare and summer campsites, and our food backpack program," said Zane Moore, president/CEO of YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties. "The ability to easily move food and supplies from location to location greatly impacts our ability to serve more families through this critical program.”

The funds come from the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority. They support a variety of community projects and can be used for any project that serves the public interest and improves the quality of life.