An area of parking along a Blairsville street has caused numerous problems over the last couple years, and a demolition project will be re-bid.
The council rejected three bids for the demolition of the Walker Building on East Market Street. Bids from Ligonier Construction ($290,000) and Jadell Minniefield Construction ($400,000) were rejected because they were above budget. A bid by Dore Associates Contracting Incorporated (under $190,000) was rejected because it was submitted two minutes beyond the deadline. New bids will be accepted through 1 o’clock on September 5th. The council will hold a special meeting that evening at 6 o’clock to possibly accept a bid.
Additionally, according to Blairsville Borough Manager Tim Evans, parking on the west side of South Walnut Street between Brown Street and Johnson Avenue has long been troublesome:
“There’s been 18 accidents on South Walnut Street since January of ’16. Mostly mirrors getting ripped off ’cause of cars too close together, ’cause they’re trying to avoid parked cars. And two pretty major accidents where parked cars were rear-ended.”
The council plans to introduce an ordinance prohibiting parking in the area during September’s meeting, after which an additional 30 days will be allotted for public comments.
In other news, the council accepted a variance recommended by the Planning Commission for Shoemaker Senior Housing, as requested by RLRK LLC. The 2-unit condominium will be located on Burrell Street between Chestnut and Sassafras Alley should final site plans be approved in the future.
