Sep. 14—POTTSVILLE — The city council gave an update Monday on possible upcoming traffic light upgrades and blighted properties that could soon be demolished.

City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said he has submitted paperwork to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for a reimbursable Traffic Signal Technologies Grant.

"Basically, what this would do is it would allow us to purchase the technology to upgrade the signalization and synchronize it at six primary intersections in our downtown," Palamar said.

The pre-application form shows that the project would affect six traffic- and pedestrian-heavy intersections in the city and could cost $596,340.

According to the information submitted to PennDOT, the intersections being considered for signal upgrades are:

—Centre Street and Laurel Boulevard

—Centre and Arch streets

—Centre and Mahantongo streets

—Centre and Norwegian streets

—Centre and Market streets

—West Market and Third streets

"This would allow us to monitor (the intersections) ourselves," Palamar said. "It would allow us to adjust the signals ourselves based upon emergencies, detours, problems, accidents. And otherwise they would be on a regular timer that would be determined based upon traffic studies that would be done if we get the grant."

He added the grant is "going to be highly competitive" and that success is not guaranteed.

Once PennDOT reviews the grant application, it will determine if it wants additional information from the city, Palamar said.

Blighted properties

Meanwhile, six properties in Pottsville could soon be coming down after city council approved demolition contracts at the meeting.

Palamar said the properties, which are on the city's blight list, could be down by fall.

Money from a $300,000 blight remediation grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development will pay for the work. Some funds had previously been spent for other demolition projects.

The following contracts for the indicated properties were approved:

—Dudash Pipeline Co. Inc. was awarded a $5,443 contract for a garage at the corner of Walton and Koch streets (an exact address was not provided).

—AMC Enterprise was awarded contracts for the five remaining properties:

—551 E. Norwegian St., owned by David Parrish, of Pottsville, for $8,854.

—305 N. Ninth St., owned by Abacus Land Trust, of Pottsville, for $14,444.

—628 N. Second St., owned by Alexander and Anna Nekhanevich, of Dix Hills, New York, for $21,888.

—824 Grant St., owned by Mark Belaus, of Pottsville, for $18,848.

—526 Howard Ave., owned by Walter Walls, of Lanham, Maryland, for $18,829.

Garage roof repair

In other business, the city garage is getting its 30-year-old roof repaired.

The council approved a $33,700 contract with Ark Contracting LLC for the repair work. After any needed changes are made, an epoxy will be applied over the metal roof.

Palamar said work on the roof will likely start this month and be done by October.

The expense was allocated in the 2022 general fund budget.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023