Community center heating contract awarded
CONNELLSVILLE — The city-owned community center in Connellsville will likely have a new heating system by April, according to action taken last week by the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority.
In unanimous action, the authority awarded a contract to Pine Hollow Mechanical Inc. of Uniontown to replace the antiquated and malfunctioning system now heating two floors of the three-story building.
Michael Edwards, authority executive director, said that six contractors offered bids ranging from $189,635 by Pine Hollow Mechanical to $323,200.
“The company met all the bid specifications and offered the lowest cost for the project,” said Edwards. “The work can now get started.”
The system will include 12 heating components for the first and second floors, the gymnasium and the basement area occupied by the Salvation Army Unit.
In October, City Council agreed to reallocate $135,000 in state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that had previously been earmarked for other projects for the center’s heating system. The city had already allocated $70,000 to replace the heating system, but had yet to fully fund the project.
The third-floor heating system was replaced several years ago.
The anticipated lack of heating for the winter prompted long-time tenant Connellsville Community Ministries to relocate its services to a new location.
In a related matter, the authority board also approved an $8,432 payment to R.G. Fleischman Co. of Verona for the design of the new heating system.
Edwards, meanwhile, said that it is anticipated that Pine Hollow will begin work in early January.
In other action, the board also conducted the following business:
n Approved a $14,772 payment to M&D Excavating of Connellsville for renovation work at Yough Park.
n Authorized a payment of $23,006 to Suter and Sons of Connellsville for the completion of the Green and 12th streets stormwater sewerage project.
n Approved a $6,875 payment to Widmer Engineering Inc. of Connellsville for design work and bid documents for the demolition of the former “Macko Building,” located on West Crawford Avenue. Edwards said that contractors have razed much of the rear of the building.
n Partnered with the state Co-Stars Program to purchase play equipment for Woodruff Park. The equipment will be purchased from and installed by Sports and Recreation Associates of Apollo at a cost of $17,480.
n Approved a change order for the ongoing renovation of Yough Park to include the installation of a concrete platform for a new art piece. Artist Jody Best will erect the art piece at the intersection of First and Third streets, adjacent to Yough Park. Cost of the platform is $2,500.
n Authorized the 2012 administrative budget for the authority with revenues totaling $134,848 and expenditures at $132,860. The budget shows no increases over the 2011 spending plan that includes salaries and the operation of the authority office.