New $1.7 million Greensburg public works building could be finished in March

A new public works building in Greensburg is almost complete, more than two years after the old one was destroyed in a fire.

Tom Bell, director of public works, said officials could move into the building on South Urania Avenue in March, with final inspections expected in the next two weeks.

“It’s really something to see,” Bell said. “It’s a really nice building, and I think we’re ready for the next 25 to 30 years. It’s been a long time coming.”

The previous public works building was destroyed in an October 2019 fire, which started in the city’s street sweeper. In addition to the building, which was demolished in December 2019 at a cost of $17,000, the sweeper, three dump trucks, a front loader, skid steer and pump truck were damaged.

Bell said the new 12,960-square-foot building features a garage that will combine public works, maintenance and electrical workers. During construction, employees worked out of the former freight station behind city hall and a maintenance facility at Mt. Odin Golf Course. The city also leased a Clark Street building from Stone & Co.

The new building has office spaces, a staff break room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a conference room and reception area.

A separate structure on the property stores various equipment.

Construction, which began last year, cost more than $1.7 million. The city paid about $1.5 million to C. Tucker Cope & Associates of Columbiana, Ohio, for general construction; $69,800 to K and M Mechanical Services of Zelienople for heating, ventilating and air conditioning; and $209,975 to Whitby Plumbing of Uniontown for plumbing.

Bell said he is aiming for a March 18 move-in date, pending inspections and other factors.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Bell said during a city council meeting this week. “Two years and three months since we’ve had a public works building.”