Mar 18, 2003 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A shelved sidewalk replacement project has been given the go-ahead by city officials. The Connellsville Redevelopment Authority board of directors instructed Widmer Engineering Inc. to begin design work on the 9th Street construction work in order for the project to be completed as soon as possible. “Timing is crucial,” said Ralph Wombacker, authority executive director. The project, initially slated for completion last year, was delayed when the city was informed that PennDOT was preparing to upgrade the roadway. “The mayor thought perhaps a partnership between the city and PennDOT could be formed in order to cut the cost for the project,” said Wombacker of the delay. “But, the city has since been informed that PennDOT will not be participating.”

Last year, the city set aside $100,000 to replace the sidewalk from the intersection of Crawford Avenue and 9th Street in its state Community Development Block Grant allocation budget.

While the officials had planned the project to extend to Green Street, the available funding will only allow work to be done to Graham Avenue.

Wombacker said the city engineering firm has also been directed to work with Allegheny Power in order for the re-location of its utility poles and lines to be made while the sidewalk is being replaced.

“We’re hoping to have the design specifications available for distribution in April and award a contract in May,” said Wombacker. “We want to get this project under way as soon as possible.”

In other matters, the authority awarded professional service contracts to the law firm of Watson, Mundorff and Brooks and accounting firm Kisiel and Associates, both of Connellsville, for the upcoming year. A similar contract was awarded to Widmer Engineering Inc. after the board reviewed three other proposals for the position.

In addition to the Connellsville-based firm, the authority received bids from the Maguire Group Inc. of Pittsburgh, Harry R. Hall of Brownsville and the Eads Group of Somerset.

Wombacker said board members reviewed and ranked each of the firms based on their respective services, staff, experience and project cost proposals before selecting Widmer Engineering to continue serving as the authority’s engineering firm.

In other business, the board also authorized improvements to the former DeFurio Mongell office building before the redevelopment authority staff moves to the West Crawford Avenue location.

The authority recently took over ownership of the building and plans to occupy the first floor. The board agreed to move forward with making repairs to the roof and upgrading the interior, as necessary.