From Rust to Must: Reimagining McKeesport

Harvard GSD

For a century, Western Pennsylvania was called the Steel Capital of the world, pulsating year-round, day and night, with the production of steel for rail, bridges, ships, and buildings. As a bookend to Pittsburgh, McKeesport stood out in the Monongahela Valley as an urban hub. Downtown McKeesport had the tallest buildings outside Pittsburgh, busy streets, streetcars, the fancy stores, parades, and great parks. Then, seemingly overnight, industry stopped cold. Beginning in the 1970’s,…