New Kensington accepts bid for road paving, approves more alley murals
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Two blocks of a downtown New Kensington street are expected to be resurfaced by the end of the year.
City council accepted an $86,300 bid from Tresco Paving to resurface Third Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets.
Tresco submitted the lowest of six bids, the highest of which was $127,400, city engineer Tony Males said.
The road was targeted for work because it is in poor condition, Males said.
The entire cost is being paid with grant funding through the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
More alley murals approved
Council has approved additional murals for the “Art in the Alley” project underway in Ivy Alley.
Council approved a request from the New Ken Downtown Partnership for three murals at 1007, 1043 and 1049 Fifth Ave. The city’s planning commission had recommended approval.
Ivy Alley runs between Fourth and Fifth avenues. Council a year ago approved the art project, proposed by the downtown partnership and the New Kensington Arts Center, from 10th Street north to a municipal parking lot.
To date, art has been painted and installed at the northern end of the alley, on the back of buildings fronting Fifth Avenue.
The new murals include a tribute to Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue, by Sunny Schreckengost; and a celebration of New Kensington as a “cool place to visit and have a staycation” by Karenda Wilson, said Jamie Smittle, vice president of the arts center. Photos of the city by Roman & Swan Photography also will be added.
“We’re making great progress in the alley, and it’s super exciting to see our vision taking shape,” Smittle said. “If you take a stroll there, you’ll find most of the smaller parts done, and some cute additions like birds and hidden garden gnomes.
“As for the bigger pieces, we’re getting closer to finishing them. We’ve been working hard in the evenings — often up on a lift. I’m really proud of our volunteer artists who’ve dedicated their whole summer to this project.”
In other business
• New Kensington will be accepting bids for two former police cars.
Council approved posting the vehicles, a 2013 Chevrolet Impala and a 2014 Chevrolet Impala, for sale.
The vehicles can be inspected in the parking lot at city hall, 301 11th St., where sealed bids may be submitted to City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti. Bids will be opened Thursday, Sept. 28 in council chambers.
The city is requesting state grant money to buy two patrol vehicles to replace them at a cost of nearly $128,000.
• Council renewed the city’s agreement for dog law enforcement with Hoffman’s Boarding Kennels.
The new, two-year agreement will run from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025.
The monthly cost of $335 is unchanged. The city also will pay $100 per emergency call.