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Glassport secures grants for community garden and firehouse fitness center; bids set under $850,000 LSA award
Summary
Council approved advertising bids for ceiling and lighting work tied to an $850,000 LSA grant, noted a $25,000 Allegheny Together award for a community garden and reported a FEMA grant for a fire department fitness center expected in the first half of 2025.
Glassport Borough on Jan. 21 confirmed multiple grants and community programs that will fund building improvements, public-space projects and fire department facilities.
Borough Manager Elaina Skiba told council she will advertise bids for ceiling tile and light fixture replacement in the borough building as part of an $850,000 Local Share Account (LSA) grant that state Senator Pisciottano helped secure. Council approved the motion to advertise bids (motion carried Yes 5, No 0, Absent 2). The motion authorizes staff to solicit contractors; final contracts will follow the bid process and any required solicitor review.
Council President Anthony Colecchi reported the borough was awarded a $25,000 grant from Allegheny Together to install a community garden at the former St. Cecilia site; the project planning and timelines will be supplied to the public closer to the events and construction dates. Colecchi also said Tree Pittsburgh will begin a spring tree-planting at the old swimming pool site.
Councilman Paul Trunzo reported the Fire Department secured a FEMA grant for a new fitness center and that the project is expected to be completed within the first half of 2025. Trunzo said the department conducted 1,258 man-hours of training in 2024 and that a staffing study by the PA Fire and Emergency Services Institute recommended enacting a stipend program to staff the station; the department is pursuing funding options to implement the recommendation.
Other community services noted at the meeting: Per Scholas inspected the borough’s building space and will launch adult computer classes in July; the Senior Center began a 10-week computer class on Jan. 13 with 25 participants and will again offer free tax assistance this year. Senator Pisciottano’s staff visited a prospective satellite office location in Glassport; Colecchi said the office will operate on Wednesdays once paperwork is completed.
Why it matters: the LSA-funded capital work will upgrade borough facilities without using general-fund operational dollars; the Allegheny Together garden and Tree Pittsburgh planting aim to improve public space and community events; the FEMA-supported fitness center and recommended staffing stipend could affect fire department readiness and staffing budgets.
Next steps: advertise and award contracts for LSA-funded work following the bid process; borough staff to provide more details and timelines for the community garden and senior services as plans are finalized.
