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Blawnox OKs $2.1 Million Renovation For Building Click on the thumbnail above to view a larger photo. The Herald by Mary Ann Thomas Staff Writer October 1, 2009 Story Link Blawnox Borough is set to pay for a $2.1 million renovation to the borough building and fire hall along Freeport Road. The price tag, according to borough officials, will not equate to a tax-rate increase for borough residents. Council unanimously agreed to the project that will add about 10,000 square feet to the building's existing 7,500 square feet to house borough administration, public works, police and the volunteer fire department. The renovation includes the addition of an elevator and stair tower and a new fire department garage with the public works department expanded into the basement. Built in 1939, the two-story, brick building has had few renovations, according to borough officials. And through the years, departments such as the volunteer fire company have outgrown the building, they said. Council President Sam McNaughton half-joked that the borough has been working on renovation plans for its building since 1977. Mayor Tom Smith said flatly of the current fire department garage: "It's not safe." There's only four inches of clearance in the front and back of the main truck when parked in the garage, according to Smith. "And the kitchen in your home is probably bigger than our police department," said Smith of the one-room police station. In April, council hired N. John Cunzolo Associates of Pittsburgh for $10,000 to study the borough's best options for more space. The architectural firm proposed renovating the existing building rather than constructing a new facility, which would have cost 50 percent more than a renovation, according to Ryan Pierce, vice president of architecture at N. John Cunzolo Associates. "We're giving them a project for what they can afford to spend," said Pierce. "The borough's number-one priority was not to have to increase taxes," he said. So the firm worked "backward" to develop a project within the borough's budget, according to Pierce. His firm is working on a final design and is producing multiple alternates for bids so the borough has more flexibility to keep construction costs down, Pierce said. The borough is working with Joe Muscatello of Boenning Scattergood Incorporated of Pittsburgh on financing. Muscatello told council that the borough could roll its outstanding debt plus the renovation costs into a $2.9 million bond issue over 30 years, which would limit the borough's debt service to about $175,000 a year. As Muscatello explores financing for the project, the architectural firm is working on designs for the renovations. If there are no delays, construction could start as early as May of 2010, with completion of the project coming in July of 2011.

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