Bethel Park explores options for Public Works building
Bethel Park will look into floating a bond to cover up to $10 million in costs to renovate or replace the public works building.
Council hasn’t decided what to do with the aging facility, located behind the municipal building on Library Road. But while municipal officials investigate the options, Bethel Park will draw from the general fund to pay for any engineering, design or construction costs, and those expenses may ultimately be covered through a bond issue or other financing.
“We really haven’t spent a lot on it in the past 40 years or so,” Tim Moury, council president, said at the Aug. 10 meeting. “We’re looking at our options.”
Council hired EPM Architecture to conduct a feasibility study earlier this year. Moury said a rough estimate of the cost to construct a new building is $10 million.
The building, which stores road materials and equipment, was built in the 1950s and the municipality expanded it in the 1970s. If the municipality opts for new construction, it will likely demolish the old structure and build the new building at the same site.
In another matter, council changed the traffic pattern at the intersection of South Park Road and Park Avenue. The state Department of Transportation studied the intersection and recommended the changes in an effort to improve safety and reduce accidents in that area.
Park Avenue will be a one-way street with traffic only traveling south from South Park Road. Turns will also be restricted to right turns only onto South Park Road.
Signs alerting motorists of the changes have been installed and more signs will be added as needed.
In other business, council:
• Renewed an agreement with PennDOT to provide winter maintenance on state roads that go through the municipality. In return, the state will reimburse Bethel Park for the service. Bethel Park has plowed state roads in previous winters and council agreed to continue the practice.
• Accepted the retirement of police Officer Frederick Paganico, effective Aug. 1.
• Awarded a contract to install an endwall over a storm drain on West Monroe Street to Rhino Construction for $36,700.
• Agreed to purchase rock salt from Cargill Inc. at the low-bid price of $69.29 a ton for the upcoming winter season.