Cokeburg Borough Building renovated
After 112 years of use, Cokeburg’s borough building was in need of renovation.
For a town of 626 residents that has an annual budget of about $300,000, finding the $440,000 necessary to do it was challenging.
Council members were able to secure a $418,000 Local Share Account grant for the bulk of the project. A former resident of the small Washington County community donated $11,000 to the project, and the borough kicked in the rest.
“I’ve invested in that building for the legacy and the heritage. I didn’t even have to think about it,” said Dr. Alexander Lese, who now lives in Naples, Fla. “The borough needs a place to have meetings, community functions. That’s the only building in the area where they can have stuff like that. That’s why it’s so important to me.”
His donation covered materials for all of the necessary interior work on the main floor of the and paid for some new tables and chairs for the community room, a hot water tank and a new back door.
Lese said it was a way for him to remember his roots – a town in which his grandfather, an Italian immigrant, as well as his father, worked in the coal mines.
“That building was built in 1913 for the Italian immigrants,” Lese explained, noting the building was used as a schoolhouse until 1940, when it was turned over to the borough.
“Over the years, decay set in. There was no money for maintenance,” Lese said, crediting Council members Holly Detts-Dranzo and her husband John Dranzo III for pushing the renovation forward.
Detts-Dranzo said it was beyond time for renovations, noting the front concrete steps were crumbling so badly that borough officials had to put up caution tape to stop people from using them. The building also needed to be upgraded so that it was compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, she said.
New windows were also on the to-do list.
“I think they were the original windows,” said Detts-Dranzo, council president.
After some planning, work began in June 2024. In addition to fixing the steps and windows and bringing the building into compliance with the ADA, a new ceiling and outdoor lighting were installed, and a new table was purchased for council.
The majority of the project was handled by Tbi Contracting of McKeesport. All of the interior labor was supplied by the Washington County Furlough Into Service (FITS) program, which allows incarcerated inmates to work off all costs associated with their cases except court-ordered restitution. Participants provide labor on large-scale projects on the weekend and smaller projects on weekdays.
“That saved us a ton of money,” said Detts-Dranzo. “We wouldn’t have been able to do everything that we’ve done with this building if it weren’t for Dr. Lese and the FITS program. I think when Dr. Lese … sees the finished product, he’s going to be so pleased. It’s just so beautiful.”
Only some small final touches remain, and the borough wants to show off the building’s new look. A ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 16 at the borough building on 99 Washington St.
“We’ve invited anyone who was involved in the renovations,” Detts-Dranzo said. “It’s going to be an open house for the community to come in and view the updates. I hope they’re pleased with what we’ve done.”
The event will feature the unveiling of two bronze plaques – one honoring Lese’s parents, the other depicting the history of Cokeburg. Food and beverages will be available complimentary of an anonymous donor.
Those who would like to come can contact Lese at 412-298-4136 by March 30.