Mar 27, 2017 By Harry Funk 3 min read

By a 4-3 vote, Peters Township Council awarded a consulting contract for a master plan for the former Rolling Hills Country Club property, although the amount to be spent will be substantially higher than the bid of one of the finalists for the project.

“I just was more impressed with Mackin’s presentation,” council chairman Frank Arcuri said March 27 following his deciding vote to contract with Mackin Engineering Co. of Findlay Township at $111,867.

Three firms under consideration for the service gave presentations during a March 20 workshop meeting with council and the township’s parks and recreation board. Among them was J.T. Sauer and Associates of Robinson Township, Allegheny County, which submitted a bid for $67,215.

Council members James Berquist, Frank Kosir Jr. and Gary Stiegel Jr. joined Arcuri in voting for Mackin. Opposing were David Ball, Robert Lewis and Monica Merrell.

The master plan is for development of about 90 acres on the property off East McMurray Road for an area designated as Peters Hill Park. Its primary use would be recreational, including the possibility of water-related activities, a facet that Mackin addressed to Berquist’s satisfaction.

“One of the things that this is all about is the aquatic center and swimming pool, and I just thought they did a much better job in their case on the swimming center,” he said. He also noted that Mackin’s price is less than the amount the township budgeted for the project.

In Stiegel’s opinion, Sauer put too much emphasis on the types of athletic facilities that are prevalent at Peterswood Park.

“They were using examples of West Virginia University’s stadium, and that’s not what we’re looking for here,” he said about Peters Hill. “We’re looking for events for the older population, more passive types of recreation.”

Kosir acknowledged that he is cognizant of the price differential.

“When we look at this and the importance of this project, that over time, I think the price differential will be worth it,” he said.

The contract is with the stipulation that Mackin project services manager Brandi Rosselli have a central role in the master plan process, particularly with regard to the public engagement component. She previously worked with the township on updating its zoning ordinance.

Township manager Paul Lauer recommended that council members think about developing a steering committee to work with the consultant’s recommendations and “help us get to a plan that the community can accept and council can accept.”