Unity awards contracts for $2.4M garage replacement

Unity supervisors hope to break ground in December for a new township garage after approving contracts totaling $2.4 million for the project.

The replacement garage will be erected on the footprint of the previous public works garage, which was destroyed by arson on Sept. 24, 2017.

Township Solicitor Gary Falatovich said Thursday the cost will be covered by the township’s insurer. As part of the policy, Cincinnati Insurance is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to a conviction in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 724-832-3288.

The supervisors awarded contracts to the following low bidders: General construction, Walter Mucci Construction of Perryopolis, $1,738,500; mechanical, R & B Mechanical of Pittsburgh, $278,000; electrical, Bob Biter Electrical of Cresson, $239,000; plumbing, Newman Plumbing of Zelienople, $157,890.

“We were expecting them to be a lot higher,” supervisors Chairman John Mylant said of the bids.

The supervisors named the township engineer, Gibson-Thomas, as the construction manager for the project and Joe Bleehash, who designed the original building, as architect for the new version. Each will charge a top hourly rate of $125.

A contract will be awarded separately for a sprinkler system for the garage, a new feature required under updated building codes.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, jhimler@tribweb.com or via Twitter @jhimler_news.