Tarentum planning fourth contract for building demolitions

Tarentum is looking to award a fourth contract for building demolitions.

Council approved seeking bids to tear down buildings at 243/245 W. Seventh Ave., 339 W. 11th Ave., and 532 Third Ave.

Earlier this year, council awarded contracts to Eveready Contracting, Minniefield Demolition Services and Siegel Excavating to tear down 23 blighted and abandoned buildings at a total cost of about $185,000.

Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said Eveready is completely done with the eight properties it was taking down. Siegel has completed seven demolitions and has removed the debris, but has final grading and grass seed planting to do.

Minniefield’s contract was for seven structures on eight parcels, including a duplex on Conroy Way sitting on two parcels. Bruni said Minniefield has three parcels finished, with five remaining.

Of the three that would be in a fourth contract, 243/245 W. Seventh Ave., which was previously condemned, was removed from Siegel’s contract because of confusion regarding asbestos remediation.

The building at 339 W. 11th Ave. also was previously condemned and on several prior demolition lists, but was removed from previous lists because of its internal condition and the home’s contents.

The borough said 532 Third Ave. is in the process of being condemned. The borough is awaiting the results of an asbestos survey of the property.

Lock Street burned-out house

In another matter, council approved paying Carl/Frank Industries $9,850 for asbestos remediation of the remains of a house at 204 Lock St., which was severely damaged in a fire that spread from a neighboring home in February.

While the house where the fire originated has already been torn down, Borough Manager Michael Nestico said 204 Lock has not been demolished yet because asbestos remediation and abatement has not occurred.

“It took some time to find an available remediation contractor. I believe the demolition contractor and the abatement company have been working behind the scenes to start the permitting and clearance process through Allegheny County,” he said. “Now that this has been approved, and the permitting process is underway, we expect the demolition to occur very soon.”