Pitt continues to work with the VIP

The Mascaro Sustainability Initiative continues to work with the Vandergrift Improvement Program and the Borough to research and develop the hydrokinetic technology to harness energy from the Kiski River that could power the downtown.

The Vandergrift community is appreciative of University of Pitt's involvement to use Vandergrift as a town for this pilot project.

Heinz Endowment

The Mascaro Sustainability Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh received a grant through the Heinz Endowment to further the faculty and student research on the Kiski River. Engineering faculty and students will continue their project in the Fall 2007 semester.

The group will further their studies on how to develop and engineer the technology to generate energy from the Kiski River - to power the Casino Theatre and eventually the entire downtown.

The Vandergrift community looks forward to seeing the students and professors in Vandergrift again this semester!

MSI Conference

Members of the VIP attended the MSI Conference 2007 and participated in the welcome session. Many conference participants visited the VIP booth to learn more about Vandergrift and the revitalization efforts. Pictured here from left to right: Dave Truffa, Cindi Contie, Meade Jack, and Joan Barlow (formerly of Sustainable Pittsburgh)

Mascaro Poster for MSI Conference

Student research

This summer there was a group of engineering students from the University of Pittsburgh working in Vandergrift, PA to figure out ways the historic community could become more sustainable. One group of students researched methods of how to use the river as a source of energy. Another group of students researched options and methods to reduce the energy costs of the historic Casino Theater.

The research that the University of Pittsburgh students did this summer in Vandergrift was presented on August 3, 2006 at Benedum Hall. The results of their research were quite comprehensive and the community looks forward to potentially adopting some of their recommendations towards becoming more sustainable in the efforts to reduce energy costs.

University of Pittsburgh engineering students

Here is where students will post updates, information, pictures, and events regarding their research and their semester studies occuring in Vandergrift, PA. This is a way for students to easily communicate more about the work they are doing in this historic community. Check back often for updates on our progress!