Uniontown’s Morgantown Street project updated

The Uniontown Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday was given an update and told of minor changes on the South Street and Beeson Boulevard portion of the Morgantown Street improvement project.

Bill Johnson, project manager from Fayette Engineering, told the authority bids have been advertised for the portion of the project and will be opened on Aug. 24. Later in the meeting, the authority board moved to recess its meeting until Aug. 28 for the purpose of awarding contracts.

'Members of city government had some questions concerning angle parking on South Street,' Johnson said. 'We took another look at it, and although it was tight, we were able to come up with the parking.'

Johnson said there are currently 12 angled parking spots on South Street. With the redesign of the area there will be 20 metered spots.

Johnson noted that city crews are installing sanitary sewers along South Street, a project that should be done in a week, he said. Columbia Gas plans to come in right after that to do its line replacement.

The sewer project also will include all of Beeson Boulevard to Redstone Creek.

The total project also includes storm-sewer installation, replacing sidewalks, repaving South Street and repairing affected pavement on Beeson Boulevard. 'We're fighting two things right now - time and weather' Johnson said. 'We have set Nov. 15 as the completion date so we can get out of the area before the Christmas season starts.'

'South Street has become a major project,' said authority Executive Director Stephanie King. 'Each time we make a change or add on, it makes it more difficult to do in the time allowed.'

King said a meeting had been scheduled Thursday evening to explain the project to merchants and other property owners.

The Morgantown Street portion of the project is scheduled to begin in the spring.

In another matter, the authority was informed the housing rehabilitation project is progressing well.

Four cases have been completed, according to King. Several others have been started, she said.

'I'm very pleased with the progress Mark (Yauger) has made with the short time he has been on the job,' she said.