Plans being drafted for public works facility in Brackenridge

Brackenridge officials are eyeing a new public works building to replace one that dates to 1900 and has floors that are caving in.

The construction is expected to cost about $750,000, all of which will be covered by grants awarded to the borough.

Officials hope to move forward in the coming months.

“Designs are being drafted now,” Mayor Lindsay Fraser said.

Council has been discussing ways to finance the new maintenance building for years.

Borough manager Denise Tocco said Brackenridge has been awarded grants that total about $800,000 to finance construction.

The borough will get $500,000 from the state for the five-door garage, which will include amenities such as equipment storage, office and kitchen spaces for employees, and a generator.

It already secured $200,000 from the Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Fund and $100,000 through the county’s Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund.

Senate Engineering is crafting blueprints, but there is no construction timeline yet, council President Tim Connelly said.

The new garage will be near the existing one along Prospect Street, in the same neighborhood where the water treatment plant is.

“Once the new one is built, the old one will be demolished,” Connelly said.