Plum officials seek bids for demolition of former borough building
Plum officials are seeking bids for the demolition of the former borough building as they work on plans for redevelopment of the site.
Plum moved its administrative and police offices out of the building on New Texas Road in late 2022 to its new municipal center on Mike Thomas Way, previously Old Mine Road.
Sealed proposals for the demolition are due by 11 a.m. Aug. 28, when they’ll be opened, said Borough Manager David Soboslay. Council is expected to award a contract in September.
Bidding documents are available from KU Resources.
The project will include demolishing the building, cutting off utilities and restoring the site.
The work is expected to take about two weeks.
“We will need approvals from Allegheny County on asbestos issues,” Soboslay said. “We already conducted an asbestos survey and did the required remediation.”
The borough received a $250,000 grant last year that will go toward the demolition cost.
Ahead of the building’s demolition, the borough allowed volunteer firefighters with the Holiday Park, Logans Ferry, Renton and Unity departments to use it for training. Several training sessions were held that included cutting and breaking through walls.
At a meeting Monday, council President Paul Dern asked whether the fire departments had informed the borough that they were done training in the building. Soboslay said they had not.
“The conditions are deteriorated to the point where I don’t think we want anyone to be inside those buildings,” Soboslay said.
The borough will apply for an annual state grant which, Soboslay said, borough staff is recommending be used for the redevelopment of the site. A grant could range from $150,000 to $500,000.
In addition to the roughly 8.2-acre parcel where the former borough building sits, the borough owns a vacant 1.5-acre lot at New Texas and Leechburg roads; and a long, narrow strip on the other side of the main parcel that is about 2.8 acres.
Officials previously said the borough plans to retain ownership of the parcels, combine them and work with a developer.
The Plum Borough Municipal Authority owns its own property and building adjacent to the former boroughl building.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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