Northampton council approves application for $300,000 LSA grant to build ADA playground on Fourth Street

The Northampton Borough Council voted to apply for a $300,000 Local Share Account grant to renovate the Fourth Street Playground into a fully Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible playground. Council approved Resolution 12-25, which authorizes the borough to apply for the LSA grant, after a motion to approve was made by Councilwoman Haldeman and seconded by Councilman Golasik; the council approved the resolution by voice vote. The resolution as read to the council states: “Resolution of the borough of Northampton County of Northampton Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania to apply for an LSA grant for renovation of the Fourth Street Playground into a fully ADA playground. The total amount requested in the grant is 300,000.” The mayor, Tony Pristash, described the grant announcement at a recent PNC Bank event as “a turning point for that building and the Uptown,” tying the playground work to wider downtown revitalization. Councilwoman Haldeman told the council about a local fundraising effort called “Buy a Brick,” and said a community organizer (referred to in the meeting as Cindy Miles/Sydney Miles) has been promoting the playground and reporting positive response. The council did not set a project schedule during the meeting; staff were not given a formal implementation directive at the session beyond the vote to apply for the grant. The motion to apply for the grant is a funding-application authorization only and does not appropriate local matching funds or create a construction contract.