Former West Deer Municipal Building demolition to begin

Demolition of the former West Deer Municipal Building is expected to begin in this month but there’s a chance a small portion of it will remain to benefit homeless dogs.

Chairwoman Beverly Jordan said the board is considering a plan to renovate the old police carport area into a 26-foot by 30-foot expansion for the West Deer Shelter, which is adjacent to the old township building.

“The conceptual plan is that it would be an air-conditioned space capable of housing the volunteer offices, a new restroom, storage space for a washer and dryer and a breezeway to the existing dog kennel,” Jordan said.

Renovations would also be made to the exterior of the shelter.

Jordan said the shelter’s water, stormwater and sanitary sewage utilities are tied to the former municipal building. The director’s office is also there.

“If we demolish the building and do nothing, the shelter will be unable to operate,” she said.

Work has not yet been voted on.

The board approved a demolition plan in December. It starts with asbestos abatement, which is expected to begin Monday.

Demolition of the 73-year-old building should begin shortly after, once utilities are disconnected and clearances are approved, Township Manager Daniel Mator said.

The total project should take less than a month if everything goes smoothly, Mator said.

Work will be paid by a $320,000 grant awarded this week to the township through the state’s Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.

The grant was among more than $2 million distributed locally to address water infrastructure, public safety and housing needs.

Other funding includes about $201,000 to the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments for a Harrison Township Water Authority sanitary pump station replacement and about $51,000 for waterline replacement along Tripak Boulevard in Tarentum.

“Each of these projects is an investment in the quality of life for everyone in the community,” said state Sen. Lindsey Williams, whose 38th District include West Deer, Harrison and Tarentum.

The money was made available through the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

Jordan said discussion of plans for the dog shelter renovation will continue. The board meets next at 7 p.m. Feb. 19.

The township recently wrapped up construction on a $10.6 million municipal building. Administration, the tax collector and police moved into the new offices in December.

It replaces the old building which had become too cramped and inefficient for the needs of a growing township.

New construction was necessary because the cost to renovate or expand the building was prohibitive, officials said.

A 2007 study found it would cost about $800,000 to bring the current building up to code without providing additional space.