History
In the late 1800’s the community was established to take advantage of the thriving commercial industrial center that Pittsburgh had become. Throughout the latter part of the 19th century, companies such as Alcoa and American Saint-Gobain moved to the area and flourished. As the community continued its growth it became an area of home ownership. Places for worship increased, a thriving commercial district was born and the area became the center for industry in the Alle Kiski Valley.
With industrial growth came educational, social, and other amenities that thrive in a community as it grows and prospers.
Unfortunately the situation began to change as the industrial base began to erode and all but disappear. Companies left, one after another. With the shutdown of Alcoa the thriving commercial district began to deteriorate and vacant buildings began to crowd streets that were once bustling with consumers. As jobs were lost unemployment grew, home ownership eroded and the population base began to decline.
The void that was left by the fleeing industries and their commercial and social counterparts was filled with various social ills. These included higher crime rates, increased drug trafficking, more families living at poverty level dependent on welfare and unemployment benefits, lack of regard for educational and other social values, declining test scores and high school graduation rates, rental units instead of home ownership, a more transient population, and vacant and dilapidated residences and commercial buildings.
On July 1, 2002 the cities of New Kensington and Arnold received a joint designation as a Weed and Seed site and the first revitalization plan was submitted. Because of budgetary restraints, the City of Arnold reluctantly decided to withdraw from the Initiative; as of July 2009 the City of New Kensington will independently pursue Weed and Seed status for the community.