Authority looks to rebuild 2 city streets
The Butler Redevelopment Authority wants to award a contract to reconstruct Kaufman Drive and part of Lincoln Avenue in the spring.
At the authority meeting Thursday, Ron Olsen of Olsen and Associates of Butler updated board members on the bid specifications he is preparing for the project.
The roads were made of 5-inch reinforced concrete poured over a base consisting of brick rubble and silica sand when they were built in the 1930s, Olsen said.
However, joints in the road have allowed water to seep under the concrete and damage it over the years, he said.
He suggested removing the existing concrete and base and rebuilding the road, and dividing the project into two phases.
Rebuilding the section of Lincoln Avenue between Short Street and Kaufman Drive in front of the Butler Arbors, a federally subsidized apartment building for the elderly and people with disabilities, would be the first phase and could be done for less than $100,000, Olsen said.
Kaufman Drive would be the second phase.
Underground natural gas lines, storm sewers and electrical service would have to be addressed when work starts, he said.
The authority plans to use $50,000 from its 2015 federal Community Development Block Grant and money from the 2017 grant pay for the project, said Veronica Walker, acting executive director of the authority.
Olsen said he obtained results of core boring tests done on the road 10 to 15 years ago, right of way information and other information that will help control the project’s cost.
“I have a lot of information that will save you a lot of money,” Olsen said.
He said he will discuss the project with city officials because the city will be asked to maintain the road after the work is done.
Grant for renovation
No city residents attended a hearing for public comment held before the authority meeting on a $221,675 application for a HOME grant the authority is seeking to renovate five authority rental properties.
The properties are in the West End. Three are on Virginia Avenue; one is on West Wayne Street; and one is on West Diamond Street. Walker said the renovations would include new roofs, windows, plumbing, insulation, wiring and fixing any code violations.
The grant money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
City council will be asked to approve the application at its Sept. 27 meeting so it can be submitted by the Oct. 5 deadline, Walker said.
Authority board members also re-elected the current officers for another year. Fred Reese is chairman; Tom Donaldson, vice chairman; David McKivigan, secretary; Brian McCafferty, treasurer; and Cheri Readie, assistant secretary/treasurer.
