PENNSYLVANIA EDC: Projects require $5.2M

Storm-water control, recreation and street improvements are high on the list.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Hermitage Economic Development Commission has recommended the city borrow $5.2 million to finance a variety of municipal capital improvement projects.
The EDC made its recommendation Friday. The list includes storm-water management, road improvement, traffic signal improvements and recreation development.
Gary Gulla, the city's assistant manager, said the city administrative staff put together a list of tentative projects as part of the city's regular capital improvement program.
Hermitage generally allocates between $1 million and $1.2 million a year for capital projects such as street reconstruction, storm-sewer improvements and recreational development.
As part of the 2005 budget process, the city enlisted the support of the EDC, an advisory body to the city, to work out a multiyear capital improvement plan and presented a long list of potential projects for consideration.
Borrow money
The EDC recommended that the city borrow $5.2 million through a bond issue to pay for the high-priority items, Gulla said.
The money could be borrowed over a 15-year period, and the city's annual capital project fund should be able to handle the estimated $425,000 in annual debt service for at least five years, he said.
The issue now goes to city commissioners, who will make the final decision.
The city staff and the EDC decided that a number of the projects on the list can be handled through the city's annual capital budget accounts and some others should be deferred because they aren't timely or need more development.
The projects to be funded by the bond issue are:
Storm water
UBaker Run acquisition and development: $375,000.
UHunters Woods acquisition and development: $325,000.
UBucciarelli Property acquisition and development: $120,000.
Road improvements
UBuhl Woods resurfacing and storm water: $245,000.
UHogback Road realignment and reconstruction: $300,000.
UCity/MCAR complex access driveway: $275,000.
Traffic signalization
($500,000 to be prioritized).
UState Street intersections with Ellis Avenue, Kerrwood Drive and Maple Drive.
UTraffic signal studies on North Buhl Farm Drive and the Kilgore/FNB/Glimcher Boulevard area.
Recreation
UBuhl Park capital campaign contribution: $100,000.
UWhispering Pines city park development: $800,000.
UOpen playfields development: $750,000.
USoftball fields development: $750,000.
UWalking trail development: $500,000.