Aliquippa rebounds after decades of financial hardship, losing ‘distressed’ designation in December

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. — A local city is on track to leave the “distressed” moniker behind.

Aliquippa has been operating under a “distressed” designation for 35 years. That’ll come to an end in December.

“It’s [been] a detriment to the city,” Mayor Dwan Walker said. He’s been in office for 11 years and tells Channel 11 that getting the moniker removed has been a top priority.

“To take that moniker off our name speaks that the city is open for business. It speaks that we’re financially stable. You can’t come out of distressed status if you’re not financially stable,” Mayor Walker said.

Under Act 47 established in 1987, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development steps in to aid cities dealing with “severe financial difficulties in order to ensure the health, safety and welfare of citizens.” Communities that fit the criteria are labeled “distressed.”

A lot of the work is done behind the scenes. City officials were tasked with getting the books in order while submitting to financial audits, operating in the black and building a pension fund.

“I can’t wait for Josh Shapiro to come here. I can’t wait for the administration of the state to come in and say ‘Okay, Aliquippa. You’ve done the work. You’ve put in the time,’” Mayor Walker said.

Another piece of the puzzle is a physical transformation. Mayor Walker’s twin brother Donald Walker III is a city councilman and also chairs Aliquippa’s Economic Development Corporation.

“When you start seeing the shovel on May 16, the library getting replaced and streetlights getting brightened up, the road and sidewalks getting improved,” he said. “That’s just a little bit of cosmetics that they always say, ‘I need to see it first.’”

Both Walkers are hopeful that this is just a step in changing Aliquippa’s reputation.

“We’re more than just football,” Mayor Walker said. “A new foundation is here. A new promise is here. A new purpose is here.”

Other communities under “distressed” status in the area include Braddock, Rankin, Duquesne and New Castle.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group