Dec 8, 2003 By Steve Ferris 2 min read

The City of Uniontown plans to use a $200,000 federal grant as part of its $4 million dollar-for-dollar match of money being sought from the state capital budget for a downtown revitalization project. U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, announced last week that he included the city’s grant and several other local grants in an Omnibus Appropriations Report, which the House and Senate will vote on this week.

Acting Mayor Bob Cerjanec said the $200,000 grant is earmarked for a number of smaller projects that will serve as a portion of the city’s required match of the state capital budget money.

“We’re one step closer to revitalizing downtown Uniontown,” Cerjanec said Friday.

Cerjanec said he sent Murtha a proposal outlining the entire revitalization project and the intended use of the $200,000 on Sept. 26, after Murtha asked for a proposal.

Plans for the $200,000 include developing a master plan for all city parks, creating a parklet along Mount Vernon Avenue for a firefighter’s memorial monument, renovation of the Union Trust building and acquiring abandoned downtown buildings.

Cerjanec said the master plan for the parks will detail the work needed at each park and uses for the parks.

He said there has already been some discussion about enlarging one of ball fields at Bailey Park so it is big enough for the Uniontown Area High School varsity baseball team to play there, and renovating the restrooms and concession stand.

City Council will evaluate all the work listed in the master plan and then decide how to proceed, he said.

The Union Trust building houses the administration office of the State Theater for the Arts.

The parklet along Mount Vernon Avenue will be the site of a 7-foot-tall statue in honor of city firefighters.

The Rev. Peter Malik, director of three local youth Bible clubs, is spearheading the effort to raise $75,000 for the monument.

Cerjanec said a parking lot, flags, a spotlight and a brick walkway are included in the plans. He said the parking lot would be in the far corner of the property and accessible from Mount Vernon Avenue near St. Vincent DePaul Store. The brick walkway would lead from the lot to the monument.

He said some changes might have to be made to a flower garden at the site that is planted and maintained by the Green Gardeners Club, but the garden will remain at the location.