Streetscape project could start in March
Uniontown’s Morgantown Street streetscape project, which was first proposed more than a decade ago, could get under way early next year, a city official said Tuesday. The city could receive state authorization to advertise for construction bids in January 2010, award a contract in February and start construction in March, Uniontown Redevelopment Authority executive director Mark Yauger said. Yauger told authority board members that he obtained that unofficial project schedule in a meeting with state Department of Transportation officials last week.
“Hopefully, we’ll start construction in March,” Yauger said.
The project, which would include new sidewalks, streetlights, benches, planters, stamped concrete crosswalks, was originally proposed in 1997 and was supposed to be done in 2002.
However, money for the project was used to complete the South Street streetscape project in 2001. The South Street project was supposed to cost $120,000, but ended up costing about $450,000.
The authority and PennDOT have spent the last three years resolving engineering issues related to the Morgantown Street project.
PennDOT awarded the city a $999,350 “Hometown Streets” program grant for the project and the city allocated $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to install a new storm water pipe under the road.
In unrelated business, board Chairman John Oris welcomed newly hired housing rehabilitation specialist and inspector Don Baugh to the authority.
“Glad to have you Don,” Oris said.
“I’m glad to be aboard,” said Baugh, who recently retired from a similar position with the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.
The board also approved paying the city $5,606 for demolishing a house at 144 Liberty St. and $4,400 for demolishing a house at 90 Searight Ave.