Stone rehabilitation project at Connellsville’s East Park moving forward
Rachel Basinger
The Connellsville Redevelopment Authority is using grant money for a stone repointing project at the city’s East Park.
East Park in Connellsville
The stone work rehabilitation project slated for East Park in Connellsville is continuing to move forward.
This week, members of the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority agreed to put the project out to bid.
Kerry Bell, engineer with Widmer Engineering, said all of the bid specifications are written up and the drawings are complete.
“There will be a masonry block wall built with the proper drainage and then the historic block will be restacked in front of the block wall,” he said. “The water line to the fountain will be repaired and then run out the back for any future water hookups.”
The specifications also call for the reprinting and relaying of the historic block on 13 different pillars in and surrounding the park.
The authority is also looking at another project in East Park dealing with issues caused by the flooding in 2016.
Michael Edwards, executive director of the authority, said they will be looking to use grant funds from the Mellon Foundation to get water lines put in there and repair what was damaged from the flooding.
Board members also agreed to put the city hall accessibility project out to bid.
Bell said the project calls for the replacement of the current ADA ramp with one that is in compliance with current regulations.
“It calls for a detectable warning surface and handrails as well as the installation of push plates for automatic door openers,” he said.
In other business, New Haven House has begun the process of installing a generator at the fire hall and new scuba gear has been purchased. Both projects will be paid for through grant funds.
Board member Leigh Ann Lincoln said the fire department had the opportunity recently to use the New rescue boat, but said the responders didn’t have the necessary scuba suits to dive into the frigid waters.
The authority will look to see if there are any funds available to help purchase four scuba suits. Each one costs $1,300.
They will also look at making some modifications to the city’s CDBG funding.
Money slated for upgrades at Mountz Park will be moved for a project at the Second Ward Park and money slated for repairs on Arch Street and Murphy Avenue will be moved for repairs slated for Arch Street.
Also in other business, the comprehensive plan meeting that has previously been cancelled due to weather will be held at Murphy Hall on April 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. It is an open forum session, so individuals are encouraged to come and give their ideas of what the city should look like as officials continue to keep it moving forward over the next 10 years.