New Plum School District bus garage to undergo remodeling
Plum School District officials are working to get a new transportation facility ready by fall.
School board member Richard Zucco said the board, during its May 26 meeting, is expected to advertise for bids to remodel a building on Greensburg Road.
The board in February voted to spend nearly $1.7 million to buy property on 17 acres that includes the terminal building, as well as office and mechanical buildings, that had been home to ECM Transport, a transportation company that moved its operation to Harmarville.
District officials for several months had been looking for a new site for a bus garage because of what they have said is massive work needed at the existing facility on Leechburg Road. They also considered purchasing property to build a new facility.
Zucco said the terminal building will be split in three sections for maintenance vehicles, maintenance and transportation functions.
Also, electric terminals will be installed to heat the buses. And fencing around the facility will be replaced.
Upgrades also will be made for the district's transportation department employees. Zucco said plans call for an office for transportation supervisor Scott Mergen. Also, locker rooms, a break room and restrooms will be installed, and the building will be updated to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. He estimates the upgrades could cost about $200,000.
Zucco said the process to move the transportation operation began a couple of years ago.
“We got a long-term contract with the employees,” Zucco said. “And we wanted to do something with the facility. We looked at 12 different pieces of property. This fell in our lap. When opportunity knocks, you have to take advantage of it.”
Zucco said officials also are talking about using a portion of the terminal for classrooms and the outside area to train bus drivers.
“It (the new site with the planned upgrades) is a plus for us,” said bus driver Donna Meanor who is president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1595 that represents the district's drivers, mechanics and aides.
Meanor is particularly pleased that the remodeling project will include a break room area for drivers who may have bus runs in the mid- or late-morning hours and do not want to drive home in between runs.
“It will be a place to hang out,” Meanor said.
Meanor also is happy that drivers will have ample parking for their personal vehicles because parking on Leechburg Road is cramped.
Zucco said a potential buyer has expressed interest in the Leechburg site. He hopes the proceeds would be used to offset the remodeling project.
“Bringing the whole thing (purchase and remodeling) in under $2 million is a good deal,” Zucco said.
Karen Zapf is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-871-2367 or kzapf@tribweb.com.
