Construction resurges as permits issued again
Even with a month-long pause, construction is picking back up in Cranberry Township.
“Despite being down for at least four weeks or more due to the current situation, things are proceeding along almost on a record-year basis,” said Dick Hadley, chairman of the board of supervisors, during a virtual meeting Thursday.
In the last two weeks, according to township manager Jerry Andree, the township has issued roughly 80 building permits — an “impressive amount,” he said. From January through the end of March, by comparison, Cranberry issued 102 permits.
These permits range from additions to existing buildings to building single-family homes, Andree said.
The board also approved applications to add a second building to a warehouse on Thorn Hill Road, build a 18,500-square-foot expansion to the MSA campus, and add a 20,400-square-foot addition to the Pella Windows building.
The resurgence in building permits and other construction activity after the state's ban on such projects was lifted is a sign for optimism, township officials say.
“People are still invested in Cranberry Township and believe in the future of Cranberry Township and are moving quickly to make their plans happen,” Hadley said. “And that's a great sign for us all and for this community as we continue to grow and look forward to the future.”
Wastewater facility
The board further approved some of the final payments on the upgraded Brush Creek wastewater facility, a long-term project that they're looking forward to paying off.
“We are finally wrapping up the Brush Creek Water Pollution Control Facility, ... what a phenomenal and large project that was wildly successful by staying in budget (and) on time,” Supervisor Bruce Hezlep said. “It will be nice to see those be removed from the bills going forward, though.”
Planning on the facility took about eight years, with three years of construction, Andree said. It was, Hadley said, the “largest project ever taken on by Cranberry Township.”
And that won't change with the MSA Thruway, either. The wastewater plant's total cost comes in at roughly $60 million, dwarfing the $12 million roadway project.
