WAYNESBURG – A groundbreaking ceremony for the $1.6 million T-Hangar project at Greene County Airport Aug. 30 had all the elements for a celebratory atmosphere.
There was an audience of pilots, media and industry representatives, along with local and state government representation. The project is just one step in the proposed plan for the airport that is designed to attract retail development to the west of the administration building. Four old hangars in that location will be demolished to make way for the six parcels of land that will be available for new business.
The new 20,449-square-foot pre-engineered T-hangar will be built in the location of the windsock on the eastern side of the airport property. It will house 10 leasable airplane hangars, storage and maintenance space and a pilots’ community room. Construction on the T-hangar is expected to be completed by May.
But one element was missing – a contractor to do the plumbing work. When bids were received for general construction and electrical work or the T-hangar, no bids were forthcoming for plumbing. The contract was rebid and the commissioners Thursday awarded an $11,650 contract to JB Mechanical Inc. of Bethel Park.
Other plumbing bidders were General Industries, Charleroi, $12,650; Newman Plumbing Inc., Zelienople, $12,900; Hometown Rooter Plumbing, Glassport, $13,349; and McRandal Co., Pittsburgh, $15,830.
Lou Lazzaro, deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, said at the groundbreaking, “This is just the first phase of development for the airport. If you build it they are going to come if you make it attractive enough. People are going to use it.”
Robbie Matesic, executive director of the Greene County Department of Economic Development, said Scalo-Summa has had serious discussions with multiple businesses regarding the estimated completion schedule for this infrastructure. The county has requested that these six parcels of land be used for family-style sit-down restaurants. Matesic said she is confident that once the new entrance is in place there are businesses that will come to the site. A specific goal is for one of these restaurants to be a destination type business that people will travel a distance to patronize.
As expected Thursday, the commissioners formally approved the 2013 CDBG application.
Last month, the commissioners conducted two public hearings to solicit funding requests. After receiving requests from several townships and citizens, they selected a request from Monongahela Township to work with East Dunkard Water Authority to improve a failing public water system and replace old water lines. The county’s CDBG application will request approval to fund this project.
In addition to the Monongahela Township water line request, the county’s CDBG program also includes:
•Sewage system installations in Alicia and Poland Mines, Monongahela Township (2010 and 2013 entitlements)
•Water lines on Yeager Run and Jay Phillips Hill roads, Wayne Township, and county-wide housing rehabilitation program (2011 entitlement)
•Water lines on Happy Valley Road, Morgan Township (2012 entitlement)
•Sewage treatment and collection system, Washington Township (2014 entitlement)
CDBG funds are to be used for local economic development needs, including housing rehabilitation, public services, community facilities, infrastructure improvement, and development and planning. Seventy percent of each grant must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income individuals, and grants are allocated based on a formula.
The county expects to receive $217,813 in CDBG money, about $300 more than it was allocated last year.
In other business, the commissioners accepted the low bid of $21,329 from Hyundai Material Handling Northeast, Mt. Pleasant, for a forklift truck for Greene Arc.
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