Water treatment plant moving forward; cost has risen

Monica Pryts, Allied News, Grove City, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Jul. 25—GROVE CITY — Grove City borough leaders are taking the next steps with the new water treatment plant project.

During the July 18 council meeting, borough engineer Dan Goncz shared some details about the bids, which were opened on June 30.

The project is expected to cost about $9.4 million — about 10 percent higher than the estimates that were calculated about one year ago, but construction costs continue to rise.

The borough has until November to award the contracts. The lowest base bids are: Global Heavy Corp., Mount Braddock, Pa., general contracting work for $7,745,000; McCurley Houston Electric Inc., New Castle, electrical work for $1,217,700; and Renick Brothers, Slippery Rock, heating, ventilation and air conditioning work for $402,000.

Borough water customers could see a monthly water meter fee increase of $5.26; that number could go down if more customers connect to the system in the meantime, Goncz said.

The new plant is being planned for Grove City Memorial Park in the area of the former Girl Scout lodge, based on recommendations from a master water supply plan that indicated a new plant would be beneficial.

The system serves customers in Grove City and Liberty and Pine townships. The water is currently treated at buildings on Harvard and Park streets, which will eventually be disconnected and used for storage.

The borough is planning to pay for the project with bond issues and grants.

Council members would have to pass a resolution to borrow the money — roughly $5.64 million over 30 years, Goncz said.

The borough has applied for a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and they are seeking funds from Mercer County's American Rescue Plan Act allocation, Goncz said.

Grove City will also use some funds from a 2020 bond issue, said Taylor Pokrant, the borough's secretary and code and zoning enforcement officer.

Once construction begins, it will take about two years before the new plant will be online, he said.

In other borough business:

—Emmy Riddle was sworn in as the newest junior council member by Mayor Randy Riddle, who is her grandfather.

—Pokrant reported that ModWash is interested in building a car wash at the former Perkins restaurant site, 915 W. Main St. They are working on preliminary designs.

—Council members briefly discussed the borough's contract for recycling and solid waste. The current contract with Tri-County Services Inc. expires Dec. 31.

They will be considering electronic waste, whether trash amounts should remain unlimited and which companies might be interested in bidding on the contract.