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Final phase of Washington streetscape improvements to start

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The tennis courts at Washington Park will be renovated this spring with new paving, nets, lights and surrounding fence.

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Improvements to South Main Street in Washington are coming this spring for the streetscape project. New traffic signals at South Main Street, Park Avenue and South Street, as well as wheelchair-accessible sidewalks, will be installed this spring.

The third and final phase of Washington’s downtown streetscape improvements is set to commence this spring, almost eight years after completion of the first two phases.

Funding for the $1.5 million downtown revitalization was secured with a combination of local share account, Department of Community and Economic Development, Southwest Pennsylvania Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers money.

The first two stages, a $17 million endeavor funded by federal, state and local grant money and completed in 2008, included burying overhead utility wires, sidewalk and curb installation, lighting, trees and signs in the business district along North and South Main Street. The third phase will continue those design elements – minus buried utility wires – along South Main Street, from Railroad Street to Park Avenue. New traffic signals will be installed at the intersections of South Main and South streets and Park Avenue.

According to Richard S. Cleveland, the city’s grant writer and project development specialist for CT Consultants, phase three was delayed because of a lack of funding.

Once work begins, though, he expects the project will be completed in just one construction season.

The bid to contractors will be put out by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in February, with work scheduled to begin in June and conclude around November.

“The overall purpose is to create economic development and safety for the community,” Cleveland said.

He anticipates this final push will signify a change for streets like Beau and Chestnut, areas that have not seen the rejuvenation of Maiden and South Main streets, where businesses such as the Upper Crust and A&M Wine and Beer Supplies are thriving.

“Some blocks have changed significantly,” Cleveland said. “Hopefully, things will begin to happen to existing business owners in that area. Stuff doesn’t happen overnight, but it is happening.”

The city’s green space is also being upgraded. Washington Park will be rehabbed with funds from a state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant.

State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-Washington, announced Friday the $176,000 grant to fund a pedestrian walkway, play equipment and safety surfacing, lighting, fencing, handicapped access and landscaping and sign improvements.

Other projects around the city might not be as visual, but are fundamental in providing a solid infrastructure on which to build, said engineer Sarah Boyce of Widmer Engineering.

Contracted by the city, Boyce said her most formidable foe is stormwater management.

“The biggest issue is the age and size of the system,” she said of the 100-plus-year-old network of underground collection devices.

As a general rule, PennDOT is responsible for road surfaces and everything to eight inches below, leaving everything else the city’s responsibility. That includes the vast, outdated stormwater management system that, if faulty, can cause damage to buildings, roads, sidewalks and green space.

Historically, the city does not budget for stormwater management like it does for roads, public safety and recreation. So, when an issue arises, officials are tasked with coming up with funding, usually by applying for matching grants.

By taking advantage of grant opportunities, Washington is a city that continues to refine and develop, Boyce said.

“The town that was here two years ago is not the town we are today,” Boyce said. “It’s a new year to get stuff done, and we’ve gotten a lot accomplished.”

In addition to streetscape, projects that will take place this year in the city include:

• Dunn Avenue – Upgrades to the roadway and sidewalk are about 80 percent complete. A $95,000 DCED grant with a $43,000 match from the city funded the El Grande Industries-contracted project. Paving, a bike lane with delineator and updated wheelchair-accessible sidewalks and intersections are nearly complete. Line painting will be done in the spring.

“It allows a measure of safety between cars and people walking,” Boyce said, noting the work will provide safer access for bus riders who exit at East Maiden Street and walk to Washington Park or Washington Park Elementary School.

• Washington Park tennis courts – The popular courts have remained unchanged for at least 30 years. The $350,000 project, funded by a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant, includes installation of a new court surface, nets, poles, fencing and lighting. A walkway around the court will also be done by McElroy Paving. Weather permitting, work will begin March 1 and be complete within four months.

“It’s really going to look nice and be functional,” said Lynn Galluze, city technology coordinator.

• Burton Avenue – A stormwater line collecting runoff from Wilson, Leonard, Locust and Murtland avenues and surrounding alleys failed, resulting in flooded yards and homes. In the two-phase, $164,000 project, funded by the city and awarded to R&B Contracting and Excavation, a 30-inch collection line was installed from the intersection of Coremont and Burton avenues, including pavement and a trench restoration. The second phase will include installation of a 30-inch pipe from Wilson Avenue to the intersection of Sumner Avenue, with a new inlet installation and road paving.

• Highland Avenue and North College Street – A sinkhole on Highland Avenue near the intersection with North College Street reared its head in May. Metal plates covered the area until the city and PennDOT reached a payment agreement: PennDOT would provide materials while the city would foot the work bill. Slusarczyk Excavating completed repair work on the $12,900 project on Dec. 7. Galluze said the money came from a payment from Columbia Gas for two separate paving projects in the city.

• Washington Park Colt field – A drainage channel and collection pipe along the third-base line at Washington Park Colt field will be installed to alleviate standing water in the area. A storm sewer will then be installed along the adjacent road, directing water to a collection system at the park’s entrance. The city will contribute a $21,000 match to $150,000 in LSA funding.

Boyce said Colt field work will coincide with tennis court construction to minimize interruptions at the park and should not interfere with baseball games.

• Strawberry Alley – Development of the Main Street Farmers Market and rebuilding of the City Mission created a need for a stormwater system. City workers will install a collection line for $7,000 along Strawberry Alley, tying into a collection system on South Franklin Street.

• Conservation grants – The city applied for and received five grants totaling $112,775 from the Washington County Conservation District through Pennsylvania Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program – the purpose of which to create better public road systems with a reduced environmental impact. Storm sewers and inlets will be installed along the following roads: upper and lower Log Cabin roads in the park, Meadow Avenue, Engel Street and along East Wheeling Street, coinciding with construction of a new public works salt shed.

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