Twenty years ago, the CCDC began with a bold, grassroots vision. Four families—united by hope and a deep love for their community—pooled their resources to purchase an abandoned train station at the heart of town.
What started as a shared dream to transform one building quickly blossomed into a movement that has touched nearly every corner of the borough. While those founding families believed in the power of community, they could never have envisioned the scale of what would follow—20 years of growth, grit, and groundbreaking work.
For the Next 20 Years
The Next 20 Years
Coraopolis is beginning to experience a rebirth — thanks in large part to its tremendous assets and the CCDC is spurring on this resurgence is community leadership that’s both collaborative … and visionary.
Recognizing the momentum — and the need to build upon it — we’ve developed a plan for our town’s continued growth. We believe it’s the right plan at the right time
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One of the very first projects the CCDC undertook was the purchase of the historic Coraopolis Train Station. An extraordinary example of Richardson Romanesque Revival style architecture, the structure, which dates from 1896, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also abandoned.
By purchasing the Train Station to renovate it, we sought to reclaim an important piece of Coraopolis history as well as mark the cornerstone of a revitalized downtown.
With your help, the station renovation, named for Coach Fred Milanovich, will be completed, enhancing surrounding homes and businesses. It will stand as a symbol of Coraopolis’ revitalization: housing a multi-use community center, rental space, and facilities for area pedestrians as well as bicyclists using the Ohio River Trail.
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Complete the interior buildout for the Coach Milanovich Center for Community Connection and restore the external canopy of the Station.
Hire a staff person to launch cultural events in the Train Station, bringing community activities to the station and the surrounding area.
Leverage the renovation of the station to spur catalytic growth in the surrounding areas of Mill Street and 4th Avenue.
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Downtown Coraopolis is buzzing with entrepreneurial spirit, but budding visionaries and established business leaders alike are in need of a center where they can tap into essential resources and expertise. The center will be a beacon of opportunity, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders with the tools they need to thrive and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
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Purchase and restore Segneri’s Restaurant on Mill Street to establish an entrepreneurial hub that will serve small businesses and entrepreneurs, providing education, mentors, and training.
Create a marketing campaign to bring attention to the assets of Coraopolis.
Strengthen the Coraopolis Business Association to work more effectively together to transform the Coraopolis business community.
Hire a Director of Economic Development whose primary focus is on marketing and strengthening the downtown business district.
Implement an arts and cultural initiative, including public art, in downtown Coraopolis.
Expand annual events that will draw more people to downtown.
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The people of Coraopolis are hardworking and resilient … a living reflection of our town’s history. But many residents face challenges stemming from decades of economic decline. These include a shortage of skills needed to compete for local employment, as well as a lack of local resources.
Your gift will invest in the people of Coraopolis, and their future. You have the power to reduce poverty, help our residents achieve greater self-sufficiency, and make Coraopolis a more desirable place to live.
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Create a Community Resource Center with all CCDC operations consolidated under one roof — including Food Pantry, Snack Pack program, and CCDC offices
Provide educational programs to help individuals out of poverty.
Pursue initiatives that help residents become qualified for local jobs.
Create a fund to provide greater flexibility and enhance our ability to seize opportunities.
Sustain our role as Coraopolis’ “go-to” community resource: Sharing ideas, solving problems, and serving as a link between local businesses, government, and community.
Hire staff to focus on meeting the needs of our residents.
Campaign Costs and Pledges
This campaign presents a strategic vision to revitalize Coraopolis, stimulate job creation, expand workforce training programs, and establish a cultural event venue in the heart of downtown.
The Coraopolis Community Development Corporation projects that the total five-year cost of the campaign will be $6.3 million.
As of January 2026, through ongoing fundraising and grant activities, the campaign has already secured $1.4 million in donations and pledges.
Our Ask:
Would you think about making a one-time contribution in addition to your current support for the campaign? Contributions can be made as a single gift or pledged over a three-year period.
Who in your network should we connect with? Are you linked to others who share a love for Coraopolis and want to see it thrive? Do you know anyone in the foundation community we should meet?
Campaign Documents
Invest in the Next 20 Years of the CCDC... Today!
The future of the Coraopolis community is being built right now—and you can be a part of it. This campaign is more than bricks and mortar; it’s about creating lasting impact for generations to come.
By making your donation today, you're helping us shape the next 20 years of revitalization, opportunity, and community pride.
Your support today is an investment in tomorrow. Let’s build it together.
Naming rights opportunities are available, and we’d be delighted to discuss how your gift can leave a lasting legacy--reach out to start the conversation and explore the possibilities
