Coraopolis plans parking study
By Elizabeth Perry
An in-depth presentation by Coraopolis parking committee members Alison Marine and Edward Pitassi has led officials there to request proposals for the study of the capacity and use of existing parking facilities throughout the borough.
During the presentation to council on Sept. 7, Marine noted an update to the parking meters in Coraopolis’ business district could be a financial and aesthetic boon. Marine and Pitassi consulted officials in Mt. Lebanon and Sewickley, along with several companies which provide traffic studies before presenting to council.
The parking meter suggestion prompted much discussion and included thoughts about daytime parking permits for workers.
Council member Rudy Bolea questioned whether there was enough traffic to warrant such a change.
“I have mixed feelings about parking meters,” Bolea said.
Ultimately, though Bolea’s dissent drove much of the discussion, he made the motion to request submissions for parking study proposals.
The board voted unanimously to take proposal bids.
In other Coraopolis news:
• Grant requests in the amounts of $200,000 and $230,000 for a salt storage facility project and the Ridge Avenue Tot Lot improvement project respectively are being submitted to the Gaming Economic Development Grant program. The park at 1001 Ridge Ave. currently has a small playground area and basketball court.
• Board members voted unanimously to approve a partial payment of $79,092 to Avelli Construction for the Ferree Street Stairway and Bicycle Runnel Project. They also voted to add an additional segmental wall to the project at a cost of $6,500. The handrailing on the steps should be installed within the next two weeks, according to Engineer Drew Null.
• Progress is being made on the Riverfront Park Project. The township is advertising for bids on Sept. 28 for construction on the project and Engineer Null is expected to have those bids to present for the October meeting. The bathroom, pavilion and amphitheater have been ordered. Plans have been in the works since 2018 to build pedestrian walkways, a pavilion, gazebo and play equipment at the site. Null said depending on how construction goes, the park could be opening next year.
• Heather Dixon’s resignation from the Coraopolis Shade Tree Commission was unanimously accepted by the board. Dixon, the wife of Mayor Michael Dixon, was appointed to the position in January for a five-year term. The volunteer organization takes part in neighborhood litter clean-ups, wildcat trail maintenance and flower planting.
• Coraopolis will be advertising for two temporary Public Works employees for leaf collection season.
• An executive session to discuss the possible hiring of library circulation desk clerks was held.
• Mill Street from 4th to 5th Avenue will be closed, along with the east side of the borough’s 935 5th Avenue parking lot for the Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 8.
• On Dec. 3, Mulberry Street from Pine Way to 5th Avenue will be closed for the annual Cookie Walk between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.