radioNovo News for Johnstown: June 3, 2026

RNN JOHNSTOWN 06/03/26          STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANK BURNS IS CALLING FOR SWEEPING CHANGES AT THE JOHNSTOWN HOUSING AUTHORITY. BURNS IS URGING THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO SEEK THE RESIGNATION OF THE ENTIRE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD AND APPOINT NEW MEMBERS FOCUSED ON REDUCING THE AGENCY’S PUBLIC HOUSING FOOTPRINT. BURNS SAYS NEARLY HALF OF HOUSING UNITS ARE OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE CAMBRIA COUNTY AND ARGUES THE CURRENT SYSTEM PLACES AN UNSUSTAINABLE BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES.          WORK IS UNDERWAY ON A MAJOR RENOVATION PROJECT AT THE HISTORIC JOHNSTOWN TRAIN STATION. ARCHAEOLOGISTS BEGAN EXCAVATING THE SITE THIS WEEK AS PART OF A REQUIRED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AHEAD OF MORE THAN 16 MILLION DOLLARS IN PLANNED AMTRAK UPGRADES. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A NEW ADA-ACCESSIBLE PLATFORM, ELEVATOR, STAIRWAY AND PASSENGER FACILITIES. HERITAGE JOHNSTOWN IS ALSO PLANNING AN ADDITIONAL 11 MILLION DOLLARS IN RENOVATIONS TO RESTORE THE STATION’S HISTORIC APPEARANCE.