Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Trails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves application for Greenways grant; debate continues over Valley Park bridge vs. Saunders Station
Summary
Council voted to authorize a Greenways trails grant application, but staff and councilors debated whether to pursue an expensive Valley Park bridge project or shift focus to improvements at Saunders Station and other trail access points.
Monroeville Borough Council voted Tuesday to authorize filing for a Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant up to $250,000, while asking staff to tighten the application to emphasize improved access to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail and to allow for alternatives if the Valley Park bridge proves infeasible.
Paul Graziani, the borough’s community development director, told council the Valley Park bridge project’s estimated total cost has grown to about $1,096,158.73 and that the borough’s contribution would be approximately $237,139 if the original plan proceeds. He said the project scope increased after engineers identified a high‑pressure sanitary sewer and flood‑plain constraints that added permitting, design and construction complexity.
Graziani said, "If we don't get this grant, I would recommend pursuing, taking the grant that we have from the DCNR with begging and pleading to retrofit what we can or improve what we can at Saunders Station." He told council that the borough already holds a DCNR award of $243,500 and that staff has spent roughly $58,380.90 on design and permitting to date.
Why it matters: The Greenways grant could support trail connectivity and park access for Monroeville residents and link local trails to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage. Council must weigh higher bridge construction costs, long‑term maintenance implications, and whether funds can be better used to create parking, bathrooms or improved access at Saunders Station.
Council discussion focused on escalating costs and alternatives. Staff and outside engineers told council that building a Valley Park bridge in the flood plain increases abutment and structure costs, and that moving or expanding parking and amenities at Saunders Station — which already has sanitary service near the parking area but lacks an extended water line — could achieve similar access with lower cost and lower ongoing maintenance burden.
Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing the grant application with revised language to focus on heritage-trail access, and directed staff to refine cost estimates for Saunders Station options and to pursue coordination with DCNR. The roll call (ayes) included Councilmembers Hizzy, Coats, Crick, Adams, Williams and Biondo.
Next steps: Staff will refine the grant narrative to emphasize improved trail access (including Saunders Station as an alternative), obtain rough cost estimates for waterline and parking improvements, and return to council with revised scope and budget figures before final application submission deadlines and any commitment of local match funds.
