Commissioners to advance funding application process for runway project
The Fayette County commissioners appear likely to advance funding preparations for the extension of the county airport runway.
In unanimous action Thursday, Commissioners Vincent Vicites, Dave Lohr and Angela M. Zimmerlink agreed to advance the preparation of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to its Nov. 17 regular meeting agenda for final approval.
According to the discussion, a “pre-application” is due to ARC by Dec. 15 to notify the agency the county intends to undertake the project and will request funding.
Arthur J. Cappella, county chief community development specialist, said he is currently working with John “Bud” Neckerauer, Joseph A. Hardy/Connellsville Airport manager, and its engineering firm — RW Sleighter Engineering of Lemont Furnace — to obtain an estimate for the project.
During the discussion, Cappella revealed that any funding from ARC would require a corresponding funding match.
It was unclear if “in-kind” services would be allowable.
Vicites said that the county should explore the funding source.
“Any avenue to get funds to extend the runway at the airport will be helpful,” he said. “I think we need to look at all options.”
The runway extension project has long been a topic of discussion by past and current county administrations and airport boards, but was stalled due to a lack of funding.
Last month, the airport’s namesake, Joseph A Hardy, founder of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands, advised the board that his “main objective” was to extend the runway to a 5,000-foot length to accommodate larger aircraft.
Hardy made the comments as he took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for new hangars being built at the Dunbar Township airport.
“We have to achieve, we have to get it going rather than just (talking about it),” he said.
Following the commission meeting, Lohr said Hardy remains adamant that the runway extension project be implemented.
“It is important to him and all of the county commissioners,” he said. “We all agree that it is important to our economic development program.”
Lohr said that in addition to exploring several funding options, he has reached out to Arnold Palmer Airport representatives in an effort to obtain their guidance.
“They have been very successful in making improvements at their airport,” he said. “I’ve talked to a few of them, but hope to set up a meeting to obtain more information.
“This is a priority.”
Turning to other matters, commissioners agreed to consider advertising for bids for several building repair projects, including related work at the Public Service Building and courthouse.
According to the discussion, commissioners plan to accept bids for both temporary and permanent repairs to the southwest side of Public Service Building where cracks have developed in the exterior wall.
Bob Carson, public works director, said the plan is to secure the building for the winter months and then address the matters in the spring.
K-2 Engineering of Uniontown is preparing the bid specifications and language for the advertisement.
McMillen Engineering, also of Uniontown, is developing specifications for the repairs related to a skylight and bell tower at the courthouse building.
The commissioners agreed several months ago to tackle the long-overdue exterior projects as the sites were deteriorating and causing interior damage.
Roof work is currently being done at the courthouse to repair a corridor roof, clock tower balcony level roof, the main and rear-area prison roof, a flat roof over the courthouse, stone lintels on the county prison and roof hatch in the clock tower.
Carson requested Thursday that the in-place contract with Tuscano-Maher Roofing of Saltsburg be revised to allow the contractor to add approximately 600 square feet of roofing at a cost of $27,500.
While workers were repairing other areas of the roof, it was discovered the 600-foot area was also in need of replacement, said Carson.
While commissioners agreed to advance the four projects to the regular agenda, they split in their approval to move ahead with a project at the federal building.
According to the discussion, the costly project that entails repairs to the roof and masonry parapet walls may have too high of a price tag to push forward.
In offering support to move the item to next week’s agenda, Zimmerlink said that Act 13 money has been set aside to complete all the projects, but Vicites disagreed, noting that should the costs be at the levels estimated by the respective engineering firms, the federal building project would be underfunded.
“Let’s make sure that the funds are available, such as the grants, before we move on this,” he said. “I want to do this, but I want to make sure our ducks are in order.”
Lohr said planning office staff is seeking various grant and low-interest loan funding information, for all the projects, but have yet to secure any funding.
Vicites and Lohr dissented, resulting in the item being removed from next week’s agenda.
The Nov. 17 meeting will be held in Uniontown City Hall at 10 a.m.