George Branick, 80, and Cliff Flegal, 89, are lifelong McKeesport residents who have heard it all when it comes to ideas for revitalizing the Mon Valley.

"There was talk of waterfront development and malls, but nothing ever comes of it," said Mr. Branick, a retired steelworker, who said the Dish Network's plan to close its 600-person call center in the city is a huge blow but certainly not the first.

"The town has been going downhill since the 1980s when I lost my job at National Tube Works," he said.

"I hope there's hope, but it doesn't look good," he said of restoring the valley to its steelmaking days' stature.

"Homestead beat us to the punch with the shopping center," said Mr. Flegal of the 260-acre Waterfront complex of shopping, entertaining, and dining.

"They could have built that in McKeesport. There was at one time talk of a horse racetrack. The administration missed the boat when the mills closed," said the retired case worker for the state Labor Department.

Still, Markus West, of Glassport, who at age 93 has lived in the valley longer than the others, is optimistic.

"The Mon Valley will make a comeback with new industries or by finding new ways to make an old product profitable by lowering production costs with new technology,"' said the retiree of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad.

"I didn't give up on the valley yet," said Paul Stecak, 66, of Glassport.

"From Third Street to Seventh Street in the borough, there is riverfront land that could be developed into stores and recreation," said Mr. Stecak, a construction contractor.

"I'm hopeful but not optimistic,'' said U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Jeff Sabo.

Mr. Sabo, 36, of Elizabeth Township, thinks that residents and business should be offered some tax relief.

"When the mills closed, they took out a lot of the bars and convenience stores and other small businesses," he said.

"When I deliver mail in Glassport, I like to sit down when I eat lunch. The diner I stop at is the only place in town. It would be nice to have some variety."

Robert Pope, 52, of Port Vue, said job creation is the most important aspect for revitalization.

"To get people to move in, they must have jobs. If people don't have jobs, how are they going to shop at local businesses once you have some?" asked Mr. Pope, an unemployed auto body technician.

While he fell back on his trade after losing his job in the mills, others facing similar fates may not be so lucky.

"It might be a sad Christmas for families with kids who used to spend a lot of money on gifts," he said.

Dave Harhai, 47, of West Homestead, said the valley has the power within itself to bring about positive change through the consolidation and merger of its municipalities.

"Right now, we end up hurting each other by competing with one another," said the Chartiers Valley High School teacher.

While his other suggestions include loan forgiveness on back taxes and judicious use of tax increment financing, consolidation tops the list because it would create a larger tax base and reduce the duplication of services.

"[The current system] had its role and a fine history, but merging is not going to do away with anyone's identity. What it will do is enable municipalities to function in a more efficient manner," he said.

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