McKeesport is not the gritty city you’ve heard described in the media. That was the most common sentiment expressed on a windy Friday evening as about 20 people took refuge in the Carnegie Library of McKeesport’s children’s section.
They had come for the second of seven “You Have the Floor” town hall events facilitated by Pittsburgh’s Public Source, and gathered among the usual bookshelves, computers and activity areas, brightened by posters and plushies of leprechauns and clovers for the coming St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
Communal gatherings like this emerged as something deeply important to the group. With deeply negative perceptions of McKeesport commonplace, the people present said they find community to be paramount. They share a love of nature and sunshine enjoyed during the baseball games, concerts and block parties of the summers, when the community gathers…