Panel receives OK to raze properties
CONNELLSVILLE – An environmental clearance from the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED) received Thursday will allow the city redevelopment authority to raze five properties that have been deemed uninhabitable by the city. Ralph Wombacker, authority executive director, said that with the final hurdle cleared by the DCED, the authority will move forward to seek bids for the demolition of the properties that are located throughout the city.
The list was initially generated by the Connellsville Board of Health and approved last month by city council.
Because state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding has been earmarked by the city to defray demolition costs, the authority, which oversees the administration of the funds, is required to determine whether the properties meet certain criteria, including if any historical value exists, they have been vacated for more than one year and they are not economically feasible to rebuild.
The owners, said Wombacker, have given written permission for the sites to be razed with the properties to remain in their possession after the homes have been removed.
“Historically, a lot of the properties have been sold to neighbors,” said Wombacker. “The neighbors will landscape it and it improves the aesthetics of the neighborhood.”
The blighted structures include a 243 E. Fairview Ave. two-family home owned by Sarah Stewart; a 911 Aetna St. single-family home owned by John W. Shultz; a 204 E. Fayette St. single-family home owned by Raymond Hice and a 604 Connell Ave. single-family home owned by James Towson.
The fifth property is the former home of convicted arsonist Harvey Upton, who set fire to the 1107 Sycamore St. residence in October 2004. The property was destroyed in the blaze.
Turning to other action, the authority board of directors also authorized Wombacker during its Wednesday meeting, to move forward with two other 2006 CDBG funded projects, including the purchase and installation of two air handlers for the Connellsville Senior Citizens Center and advertisement of bids for pole lighting for the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co.
The panel awarded a contract to Fayette Furnace for the work to be completed at the senior center after reviewing bids that ranged from the Uniontown firm’s bid of $5,362 to $7,750.
The city set aside $5,000 for the project.
The lighting equipment, said Wombacker, is needed by the volunteer fire company to illuminate areas during nighttime fires.
New Haven initially requested more than $31,000 for the purchase of a rescue chain saw and two smoke-blowers in addition to the pole lights. City council later trimmed the amount to $25,000.
In a related CDBG matter, the authority members learned that work would begin immediately at the Connellsville Community Center to install a heating system for the building’s third floor.
Last month the board awarded a contract to J.B. Mechanical Inc. of Pittsburgh for the purchase of equipment and installation of the system pending final approval by the center’s maintenance foreman.
Wombacker informed the members that a pre-construction conference confirmed that the company would supply the necessary equipment and make the installation as required by the center.
“(J.B. Mechanical) anticipates having the work completed by mid-November,” said Wombacker.
In other action, the authority also conducted the following business:
– Reviewed the DCED audit comments for the city’s 2001-2004 use of CDBG funds.
– Authorized a $2,500 payment to Kisiel and Rudnik Inc. for the authority’s 2005 financial audit.