Riverview Park and road improvements on tap for Coraopolis
By Elizabeth Perry
The Coraopolis Council voted to continue the Riverview Park renovation, move forward with road improvements and honored a long-standing volunteer organization.
Riverfront Park
The board approved a partial payment of $94,740.30 to CHD Enterprises for work done on the Riverfront Park Project. They also approved a resolution to apply for a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Park Rehabilitation and Development Grant for the Riverfront Park Phase III Improvement Project.
Manager Ray McCutcheon said Phase III of the Riverview Park restoration will include an additional walkway, fencing and the “big ticket item,” the playground and surface for that area.
“We asked for a $300,000 grant and the borough would have to match that amount. We won’t start any work until we’re awarded grant funds. This work wouldn’t start until early 2025,” McCutcheon said via email.
In other news, the board authorized the Chestnut Street Roadway and Waterline Improvement Project to Niando Construction. The contract is worth $422,942.00
Approved advertising of the 2023 Road Improvement Program and bid preparation.
They donated $700 to Keith-Holmes VFW 402 for the May 29 Memorial Day Parade.
Council Member Rob Cardiman introduced a motion to install a set of farm gates on Ridge Avenue where it meets State Avenue to replace a “jumble of jersey barriers and chains.” The board approved $10,000 for the purchase of the gates. Cardiman volunteered to purchase the gates and put forward the idea of using public works employees to install the gates.
Councilman Rudy Bolea asked if they should put out the gates to bid, but after discussion, they agreed Cardiman could purchase the gates as long as the cost did not exceed $10,000.
At the workshop meeting on March 1, the board approved funding for a professional parking study to be conducted on Main Street.
There will be a tree planting event put on by the Shade Tree Commission on April 1 between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. beginning at the Ferree Street Steps.
Free bikes
Mayor Michael Dixon announced an event to give away 125 free bicycles on April 1 at 11 a.m. made possible with support from Allegheny Health Network, Hollow Oak Land Trust, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Dicks Sporting Goods and Communicycle. The first 125 people to sign up will get a bike for free.
The event will be held at the AHN Montour Health and Sports Medicine Center, then participants are invited to participate in a community ride to Montour Woods Conservancy Center.
Easter egg hunt
There will be an Easter egg hunt on April 1, at Bilwas Field.
Gates open at 9:45 a.m. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. and will last for two hours. The annual event is hosted by the Cub Scout Pack #358 and Boy Scout Troop #358. Children age 2 to 11 years old may participate. Bring your own basket or bag.
Proclamation
Dixon declared March DeMolay Month and awarded a proclamation to Steel City DeMolay, a Masonic youth group for boys between the ages of 12 to 21 which teaches them leadership skills through volunteering and mentoring. The organization, which is more than 100 years old, has had a chapter in Coraopolis with Masonic Lodge #674 for 19 years.
Chapter Advisor William Johnston, whose son, Logan Johnston, 17, is a member of the group, has been involved with DeMolay since he was 11-years-old. William Johnston said members include boys not only from Coraopolis but from Crafton, Sewickley, Burgettstown, McKees Rocks and Carrick. The group plans to take part in the tree planting event on April 1 at the Community Ride Conservancy and an Easter egg hunt on April 8 at Robin Hill Park in Moon.