Ligonier Diamond renovation project 60% complete

Ligonier business owners are counting down the days to when they no longer will have to worry about construction on the Diamond.

The Diamond Park Renaissance Project, the first major renovation of the Diamond since 1967, is more than 60 percent complete and on target to be finished by the end of September, officials said.

“We are encouraged that the project timetable is on track and look forward to its completion in time for Fort Ligonier Days this fall,” said Scott Haines, executive director of the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Our merchants are excited about the outcome of this project and how it will help to re-energize the Diamond as a destination for locals and visitors.”

Borough officials broke ground on the $3.5 million project in January, but construction did not begin in earnest until April.

“Despite the cold spring and rainy summer, the project is on schedule and on budget,” said Mariah Fisher, chairwoman of the borough’s Parks and Recreation Committee.

In addition to new trees and landscaping, the project will include an overhaul of the historic Diamond Park bandstand, replacement of underground utilities, a snow melt system, upgrades to the sound and light systems, security cameras, new sidewalks and new curbs.

Although business access has been maintained throughout construction, some business owners have complained about a drop in traffic and sales since the detour was instituted in April. The borough has sought to help merchants by providing free parking on Saturdays and making some parking available on the east and west sides of Main Street.

Olive Conte, office manager for Conte Design Lifestyle Gallery on East Main Street, said the inconvenience caused by the construction has been difficult but not terrible.

“People have a way of finding us. People find the municipal lots or take advantage of the free parking on Saturday,” she said. “They seem to have figured it out.”

After parking, the biggest issue has been traffic flow through the Diamond, she said. Temporary traffic lights have been installed to keep two-way traffic to one side, requiring northbound traffic to wait on southbound traffic, and vice versa.

“I just think it’s a little inconvenience for a big improvement,” Conte said. “By the time of Fort Ligonier Days, it’s going to be so wonderful that everyone will forget about the construction.”

The park’s new infrastructure is nearly complete, officials said.

All utilities from Town Hall are now connected to the inner Diamond. The roadway around the inner Diamond has been widened. The bandstand addition, including the new copper roof, is nearly complete and will soon be finished with a stone veneer to match the adjacent Ligonier Valley Library, officials said.

Major features of the design, including masonry walls and an underground storm water management system, have been installed. The snow melt system and concrete pavement are nearly complete. Installation of the concrete pavers and perimeter walkways is underway, officials said.

The planting of 25- to 30-foot maple and zelkova trees, along with the installation of an irrigation system and decorative lights, is expected to be completed by mid-September.

The borough recently learned that, in addition to major funding from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, it had received a $350,000 grant from the Allegheny Foundation. The borough has provided $150,000 in matching funding, while 50 people have donated to the project by sponsoring benches, lamp posts, flower pots and bird houses.

A limited number of individual sponsorships are still available. Anyone interested can call the borough office at 724-238-9852.

A grand opening and dedication ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. Oct. 5.

Stephen Huba is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Stephen at 724-850-1280, shuba@tribweb.com or via Twitter @shuba_trib.