Shelly Todd remembers growing up in Mooncrest decades ago, when children played outside until the streetlights flickered.

Back then, youngsters couldn't say a curse word without parents knowing before they got home.

"I think of a neighborhood and community of people living with people different from them. We used to have it here, and I thought we could have it again."

When she returned to the Pittsburgh area in 2001, the lawyer was pulled into an organization by vivacious community leaders with a similar dream of saving her childhood haven.

Todd was part of the crowd to see the vision of Mooncrest Neighborhood Association founders Shirley Owen and Carol Strasser become a reality after eight long, trying years during the association's Homeownership Renovation Dedication Ceremony last week.

"For sale" signs now dot the yards in front of three, three-bedroom and two, two-bedroom, fully remodeled and updated townhomes on Hemlock and Delaware drives.

They range in price from $62,500 to $92,500.

Inside the red brick homes with tan trim, wall-to-wall carpet spreads throughout both floors. Ceramic tile floors highlight half and full bathrooms, and new energy-efficient appliances sit between honey-colored cabinets and faux granite countertops.

A cement patio, covered carport and a small storage shed fill side and backyards.

In front, those wooden realty signs advertise their availability to anyone whose household income falls below 80 percent of the area median income.

To Sister Mary Christopher Moore of the Felician Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, who run an after-school program in Mooncrest, those RE/MAX signs are not just marketing, they're symbols of validation and hope.

"There were nay-sayers that said this couldn't be done. But this is proof. This demonstrates to people what can be done," Moore said.

"If we do more and more and more, it will have a gradual impact. We need to be patient and hopeful we can do that."

State, county and local elected officials assured the crowd, which included a handful of Mooncrest residents, this renovation project was the beginning, not the end.

"We have a couple of buildings done," said state Rep. Mark Mustio.

"But there is a lot more to do. This is a day to see where we can go, if we all work together."

The $1.8 million project was made possible with more than $1 million in grants and donors and nearly $750,000 from construction loans.

It took more than eight years to come full circle.

Along the way, Mooncrest made history, as the first and only township neighborhood to be given a historical designation. It also was the first renovation approved by the Moon Historical Architecture Review Board.

Ground was broken in September. Shortly after these first renovations started, Shirley Owen's efforts were cut short by her sudden death on Oct. 13.

She was a catalyst for change to save the historic, 395-unit, World War II-era neighborhood that was orginally built for Dravo Corp. employees. It had sunk into disrepair following years of absentee landlords and uncaring renters.

In a June interview, Shirley called Mooncrest "a good, little secret. It's like living in a gated community but with no gate and none of the expense."

Following her death, Shirley's husband, Charlie, took her place as the association's president after serving as finance committee chairmen.

Shirley's spirit always stayed with the project, said Moon Township supervisor Tim McLaughlin.

"It goes to show you if people have the right heart and attitude what can happen. It's really encouraging what happened here."

Neighborhoods like Mooncrest maintain history and provide a pathway to middle-class, said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.

"Affordable housing is just as important as the bigger projects are. These are affordable to people that otherwise can't afford a home. Affordable housing doesn't have to be substandard."

For more information on the townhouses for sale, contact Leigha Peters with RE/MAX Realty at 724-728-2255 ext. 424.