Monroeville in good financial position for upcoming capital projects

Monroeville council’s financial advisor said the municipality is in an advantageous position as it plans for future capital improvements.

“Your current debt is about $2 million, and that will be paid off in the next two years,” said Mike McCaig, public finance managing director with Raymond James.

That’s good news for Monroeville officials, who have the public works building in their sights for the next big capital improvement project.

“It’s something that needs addressed,” Monroeville Municipal Manager Alex Graziani said of the public works building on Starr Drive. “Whether that’s a ‘Band-Aid’ that gets us another four or five years, a rehab that gets us another decade or a new building that lasts the next 25 years, that’s what we need to determine.”

McCaig said Monroeville’s AA-2 credit rating is among the best in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“There are only two notches above that, and what it translates to for you is lower interest rates,” McCaig said. “Your borrowing capacity at this point is in excess of $100 million — not that you’re going to do that, but that’s what the state feels is a reasonable amount.”

Graziani said council needs to take a look at municipal properties that are aging. At council’s June workshop meeting, Graziani said Public Works Director Paul Hugus will give an update on the public works building and what it will need over the next few years.

Council will need to decide whether to renovate the public works building, rebuild it or even potentially relocate it to a new site.

“We don’t want to rush through anything,” Graziani said. “We want everyone to have as much information as possible for when we make a decision in August.”

Orchard Street extended

Council voted unanimously to extend the recognized length of Orchard Street by an additional 179 feet. Homeowner Linda Quinn lives at the far end of Orchard, on an unmaintained section of the road.

“It looks like a private drive, but it was never a private road, it was built by the municipality in 1972,” Quinn said. “The asphalt is in poor condition, and I’m concerned that at some point, without some help, it could become impassable.”

Councilman Bob Williams asked if Quinn would give up some of her property to create a cul-de-sac.

“Our ordinance requires that we have a cul-de-sac as opposed to a hammer-head,” Williams said.

Quinn said she has about an acre at the back of her property, and would be willing to have it turned into a cul-de-sac.

‘SINC-UP’ project

Council voted unanimously at its May 14 meeting to apply for the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission’s Signals In Coordination with Equipment Upgrades, or SINC-UP, project.

The project will synchronize seven traffic signals along Mosside Boulevard, or Route 48, to help alleviate traffic congestion.

The total project cost is $1.2 million. Graziani said Monroeville’s share is a little over $237,000, a cost that would be incurred in 2026 or 2027.