Redevelopment authority to seek bids for East Park project
CONNELLSVILLE — Although cautioned costs are likely to exceed its budget, the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority authorized bid documents to be prepared Thursday for the repair of the East Park castle lookout.
Glenn Wolfe, Widmer Engineering Inc. engineer, informed the directors that two options are being considered for the repairs, including a total overhaul of the stone structure and a plan to replace missing stonework and mortar patching of the park landmark.
Both options, said Wolfe, would include anchoring the hillside castle to the existing rock ledge to prevent future disintegration at the site.
Wolfe estimated the cost to range between $30,000 and $90,000.
“It is a challenging project,” said Wolfe, adding that only qualified stonemasons will be considered for the repair work. “This will be a labor-intensive project.”
In a related matter, directors awarded a contract to M&D Excavating of Connellsville to continue improvements at Yough River Park.
The firm was the low bidder for the upgrading of the park restrooms and the lone bidder for trail, parking lot, landscaping and other work within the park.
In addition to replacing restroom fixtures, a screen wall will be added to the entranceway along with a mister, bike wash and brick pavers outside the facility.
The cost for improvements to the restroom and related features total $64,694 with park upgrades to total $43,000.
In other action, the authority directors also conducted the following business:
n Learned that Roger Suter and Sons Inc. of Connellsville will begin the 12th and Green streets storm water project on Sept. 19.
n Authorized a $2,055 payment to the city for code enforcement; $4,000 to Staley Communication for the purchase of equipment for the city fire department and a $15,275 payment to Gulisek Construction of Mount Pleasant for streetscape work completed along Pittsburgh Street.
n Learned that the installation of playground equipment at Austin Park is to be completed by Aug. 29 and agreed to make payment to Sports and Recreation Associates of Apollo for swings and a rock-climbing wall for the park at a cost of $17,188 and $5,650 for the excavation, preparation and installation pending inspection of the final work.