Bethel Park approves items for new fire station
Bethel Park Council members Monday approved three items related to the borough’s volunteer fire company and the construction of a new fire station. By a vote of 7-0 council approved a contract with Pacheco Ross Architects for construction of a new fire station to replace the aging station on Brightwood Road.
Council members Don Harrison and John Pape were absent.
Council also approved a contract with Kiefer Coal and Supply Company in the amount of $28,000 for the storage of the fire company’s larger trucks and equipment during the fire station construction. The coal and supply company is located on West Library Avenue not far from the fire station. The fire company also maintains smaller stations on Clifton Road and Milford Drive.
In addition, council approved a bond issue to finance the construction and related expenses.
In May, voters approved a referendum for a .34 mill real estate tax, which will finance the building of a new state-of-the art fire station as well as providing $300,000 for the annual operation of the fire company.
In other business council members accepted a $500,000 state grant to be used to improve the infrastructure at the Bethel Park Industrial Park.
Members of the Bethel Park Business Owners Association attended the meeting and praised municipal officials for the quick action in obtaining the grant.
Monies came from the Gaming Economic Development Fund Grant administered through the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority. State Rep. John Maher (R) 40th legislative district also helped procure the funding, which will be used to improve the roads, storm water management and other infrastructure issues.
Tom Diener, president of the association and managing partner of Ameri-Source Specialty Products, said the improvements will help attract more businesses and people to the business park.
There are more than 120 business owners and over 500 employees of the 140-acre industrial park, which is located at the intersection of South Park Road and Industrial Boulevard.
According to David Carr, coordinator and communications director for the association, the park ranks 12th in size among the area’s top 25 office and industrial parks. It is also one of the oldest, developed in the late 1940s by Dr. McNary, a veterinarian from Castle Shannon. At that time, it was undeveloped property bordered by deep shaft coal mines and rail road properties, said Carr. Over the years, McNary sporadically cleared and sold off parcels.
There was no master plan during the development and Diener has said that one of the goals of the association is to work with the municipality to upgrade the appearance of the park.
The park consists of a mix of non-polluting, environmentally friendly companies, which include: light manufacturing, distribution, machining, vehicle repair, moving/storage, entertainment, medical and construction/renovation firms.
In addition, the park is home to the Tri-Community South Emergency Medical Services, the Bethel Park School District Transportation Division and the offices of the UPMC Greater Pittsburgh Ob/Gyn Center.
Business owners said the park provides a substantial tax base, employment center and is an economic generator for the community.