Authority hears update on project
CONNELLSVILLE – A decision regarding the placement of electrical wiring for the city’s pending downtown streetscape project will allow work to begin as soon as the winter weather clears. “The contractor does not want to get started and then have to stop,” said Ralph Wombacker, executive director of the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority, of the delay on Wednesday.
The project has been on hold for several months while it was determined where the electrical service could be installed to accommodate the lighting changeover from the 20 mercury vapor fixtures to the 21 quartz decorative acorn-style lights.
Wombacker informed the board that it has been determined the wiring for the 12 lights being placed along both sides of West Crawford Avenue will be installed in the sidewalk brick path.
The remaining lights will be placed along the Crawford Avenue bridge.
The plan was initially nixed when it was discovered the brick was encased in cement, but alternatives have proven to be more costly, said Wombacker.
The contractor will remove the brick and then replace it with colored concrete and stamp the areas with a brick-like pattern after the wiring has been placed.
The city set aside $86,000 through its 2002 state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation for the project.
A sidewalk replacement project along Ninth Street, however, remains on hold, until it can be determined if the state transportation department is willing to help defray the cost.
Wombacker said Mayor Judy Reed has requested no action be taken to proceed with design work until she meets with department representatives.
The state plans to repave the southbound lanes of Route 119 (Ninth Street) this year and Reed is hoping the department will assist in upgrading the sidewalks that line the artery, said Wombacker.
The city earmarked $100,000 for the project in the 2002 CDBG program.
Wombacker informed the authority board that he is still awaiting input from Reed regarding the projects proposed to be undertaken in the 2003 CDBG program before he finalizes the grant application.
During a recent council work session, a tentative project list included $75,000 to New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Company for its purchase of a combination aerial/pumper truck; $70,000 to the city fire department toward the future purchase of a pumper truck; $30,000 to the Carnegie Free Library for the installation of a power source for an elevator; $42,000 to the Connellsville Community Center for the refurbishing of its auditorium; $30,000 to repair a stone wall at Cameron Court and $105,000 to install storm sewerage lines along Church Place.
Reed was absent from the work session, but when contacted Thursday, agreed that the projects were viable, but also would like to see funding set aside for the Route 201 development project should the city be required to assist in some manner.
The Widewaters Group, a New York development firm, is finalizing plans for a mall-style complex at site.
Wombacker said the city has until mid-March to finalize the state application.