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Emmaus schedules preconstruction for PENVEST project; CDBG sidewalk work to start and borough flags sidewalk obstructions
Summary
Borough Manager Pepe told council on May 5 that the borough closed a PENVEST loan and grant and scheduled preconstruction, and that Zagura Concrete will perform CDBG-funded sidewalk work near Main and Chestnut Streets.
Emmaus borough staff told council on May 5 that several capital and grant-funded projects are moving into construction and that staff will pursue code enforcement in response to recent reports of sidewalk obstructions.
Borough Manager Pepe said the borough has “successfully closed a loan and the grant” through the PENVEST program and that a preconstruction meeting was held to begin work with contractors. “Everything is signed, ready to go, with our contractors,” Pepe said, and staff have met with the primary contractor to discuss logistics such as job trailers.
Pepe also said the borough closed a preconstruction meeting for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sidewalk and curb project and that Zagura Concrete will do work “on the intersections adjacent to Main Street and Chestnut Street” with work expected to begin in May and be complete by June.
The borough manager said paving bids are being prepared for summer work. He also told council Comcast representatives have permits to solicit service in the borough; when asked for a start date he said the company’s timeline was “probably gonna be a couple months yet.”
On a separate code issue, Pepe reported complaints about PPL placing equipment that obstructed sidewalks: “PPL literally dropped the pool in the middle of the sidewalk,” he said, and added the borough would pursue the matter through code enforcement because sidewalks must provide four feet of travel. Staff said they will follow up with the utility to restore the required pedestrian clearway.
Why this matters: The PENVEST and CDBG items represent state or federally funded infrastructure work that will affect downtown sidewalks and traffic patterns during construction and require coordination with contractors and utilities. Reports of sidewalk obstructions have immediate pedestrian-safety implications and may require corrective action by utilities or contractor crews.
Ending: Staff will proceed with preconstruction coordination, expect Zagura Concrete to begin the CDBG sidewalk work in late May, continue preparing paving contracts, and follow up with PPL and Comcast on the reported issues and timelines.
