-CORAOPOLIS-
By Dianne Stuckman
Film stars, tractor trailer trucks, box cars and catering companies will move into town in the coming weeks as preparation gets underway for the filming of a new TV series in Coraopolis.
The series – a sitcom titled “Sprung” – is a creation of Greg Garcia, whose credits as executive producer extend to several other acclaimed comedy shows, including “My Name is Earl” and “Raising Hope.” Seattle-based IMDb TV is producing the series.
Jason Calabro, supervising location manager of IMDb TV, appeared before council Aug. 12 to ease any concerns of disruption before production starts Sept. 10.
“Community comes first, safety second. We don't want to impact anybody,” he said.
Calabro, a South Hills native, scouted the Pittsburgh area for the new sitcom and landed on Coraopolis. He and others were unable to comment further on the questions related to the filming, citing company policy.
According to IMDb TV’s website, the series revolves around lead character, Jack, who is determined to change his course after serving more than two decades in prison. The character is played by actor Garret Dillahunt. Illeana Douglas and Phillip Garcia also star in the show.
Filming of the first episode of the first season starts in September. The sitcom's Veterinary Office will be filmed at the Montour Industrial Supply on Second Avenue from Sept. 8-10. Exterior filming of houses on the 900 block of First Avenue will run from Sept. 27-Oct. 1. Interior scenes will be filmed on set elsewhere.
Calabro expects crew trucks to be parked overnight at Riverview Park and he said he may need police to control traffic during production.
Police Chief Ron Denbow expects no issues. “They are very professional,” he said. “They had all the i's dotted and t's crossed.”
In other borough news:
• Council approved the hiring of two police dispatchers Aug. 11. Jason Moran, a former Stowe
Township dispatcher, was hired as full time at $20.10 per hour. Cory Russi was hired part time at $12.50. Dispatcher Frank Kamalich will retire this month. Kamalich worked as dispatcher for seven years and was former Ambridge police chief and Coraopolis police officer.
• The Mill Street traffic signal was recently replaced at a cost of $181,274.14. Since 2014, the borough has replaced outdated traffic signals on Fourth Avenue with costs paid through Automated Red Light Enforcement grants. “They are much safer traffic signals, much more visible than older ones,” Borough Manager Ray McCutcheon said. The lights had been installed 70 years ago. New overhead signals have been installed on Fourth Avenue, Broadway, Mulberry and Main. The Watt Street and Fourth Avenue intersection is slated next.
• Two condemned homes were demolished this week by Minniefield Demolition Services of West Mifflin. Payment of $39,000 for properties at 1730 Montour St. and 1528 Fifth Ave. was approved for and paid by a Community Development Block Grant.
• A Welcome Home Parade will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 11 to honor veterans who served in Afghanistan. The parade's Fifth Avenue route begins at the Thorn Run Park and Ride to Chestnut Street. Food trucks and entertainment will follow from noon to 4 p.m.