The Slippery Rock community will become even more accessible and welcoming thanks to a partnership between Slippery Rock University and Slippery Rock Borough that resulted in a $1.1 million state grant.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded SRU and the Borough funds as joint applicants from the Multimodal Transportation Fund for a project titled “Community and Campus Connections: Slippery Rock Multimodal Transportation Project.”
SRU will use the funding to add or replace sidewalks in the following areas:
- McKay Education Building/Child Care Center parking lot.
- Cornish Drive.
- Main Street between Kiester Road and Maltby Avenue.
- East/West Lake Lane along both sides of the pond.
- Kiester Road (remove steps along the tennis courts and install a ramp to provide an accessible route to the walkway that goes along Kiester and Harmony roads).
- North Road by Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
- Maltby Avenue between the Maltby Center and Old Main.
The Borough will use the funding to replace light poles and luminaries in the downtown district, refurbish benches and purchase new dual trash/recycling receptacles.
“This project represents a meaningful investment in accessibility and connectivity for our students and the greater Slippery Rock community,” said SRU President Karen Riley. “We are deeply grateful to Mayor Jondavid Longo, Borough Manager Christian Laskey, and Joe Saeler, the executive director at the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, for their collaborative partnership and shared vision to bring this project to fruition. We also thank State Representative Tim Bonner and State Senator Scott Hutchinson for their strong support. These forward-thinking efforts strengthen the University’s relationship with the community and help ensure that our campus is more welcoming and accessible for all.”
Multimodal Transportation Fund is intended to provide grants that encourage economic development and ensure a safe and reliable system of transportation. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.84 million with SRU and the Borough also providing matching funds of $272,000 and additional support from Sen. Hutchinson and Rep. Bonner.
The work is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026 Fall semester.
