· Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) NEW Information Posted
· Baker Run Stream Restoration Project (NIP)
· Hermitage Plaza Stormwater Detention Improvements Project (NIP)
· Theota Drive Stormwater and Roadway Improvements Project (NIP)
· State Street Culvert Extension (NIP)
· Indian Run Stream Restoration - Phase III NEW Information Posted
· 2010 Capital Paving / Seal Coating Program
· 2008 - 2009 CDBG Stormwater and Roadway Improvements NEW Information Posted
· Highland Road Widening / Sidewalks Project (Phase II)
· Maple Drive / Dutch Lane / East State Street Intersection Improvements Project NEW Information Posted
· Shenango Valley Bikeway Transportation Enhancement Project
· Lamor Road Improvement Project
· North Buhl Farm Drive Corridor Project (Elm Street Program)
· Hermitage Municipal Authority (Sewer) Projects

RECREATION PROJECTS

· Whispering Pines Park (East State Street)
· Linden Pointe Phase II Trails
· Hermitage Athletic Fields Complex Project - South Darby Road
· Timber Lane / Silver Ridge Trail Project
· Sylvia Stull Farmstead Property (Sample Road)
· Buhl Park Casino Renovation Project

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

· LindenPointe Training & Workforce Development Building
· LindenPointe Prosperity Place Street Construction Project

PLANNING PROJECTS

· Shenango Valley Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan
· Hermitage Town Center Study

Following is a brief summary on the status of the active projects:

· Neighborhood Investment Program
New Information Posted!  BLOCK 1

It is one of the core functions of local government to provide and maintain a functionally sound infrastructure system. It is the City’s responsibility to invest in our community to protect the integrity of our neighborhoods. To do otherwise, or to neglect the infrastructure – sanitary sewer lines, storm water facilities, street paving, lighting and signage will lead to neighborhood blight, depressed property values, a reduction in the quality of life for residents and higher costs when improvements are eventually undertaken.
The objective of the Neighborhood Investment Program is to systematically upgrade the City infrastructure, an area at a time in our older, established neighborhoods before deterioration begins. We will do so by identifying the program areas, taking a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions including input from property owners and residents, determining needs and developing a work plan, funding sources and a timeline.
The impact of a public/private partnership, where property owners work with the City – the City upgrading and improving public facilities and the residents continuing to maintain, or improve, their properties, will result in maximized property values and a high quality of life in our neighborhoods.

2008 - 2011 Work Program
Neighborhood included bounded by:
Highland Road (North), N. Buhl Farm Drive (East), State Street (South) & Boyd Drive (West)

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· Neighborhood Investment Program
Baker Run Stream Restoration Project – After an initial investigation into the stream and the culvert crossings, it was determined that restoring the stream would not be sufficient to assist in the remediation of the flood issues of the stream. Several new projects were recommended from this study, three of which are being designed – Hermitage Plaza Stormwater Detention Improvements, Theota Drive Stormwater and Roadway Improvements, and State Street Culvert Extension.

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· Neighborhood Investment Program
Hermitage Plaza Stormwater Detention Improvements Project – The project utilized the existing stormwater detention basin at the rear of the Hermitage Plaza and maximized it’s efficiency by the installation of a new outlet structure to better control outflows and redirected storm sewers into it that by-passed the basin and discharged directly into the headwater of Baker Run. The project is complete and cost approximately $140,000.

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· Neighborhood Investment Program
Theota Drive Stormwater and Roadway Improvements Project – As a part of the Neighborhood Investment Program, the city will being replacing aging infrastructure in the Theota Drive area. The improvements consist of the installation of new storm sewer and repaving the roadways. In addition, the City has purchased property for the installation of a new detention basin for the Theota Drive storm sewerage system. Theota Drive and Todd Avenue were completed in 2008. Improvements on Lyle Drive, Cohasset Drive, North Crescent Drive were completed in 2009.  Construction of the remainder of the streets in the targeted neighborhood will take place in following years as funding permits.

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· Neighborhood Investment Program
State Street Culvert Extension – This project will eliminate the double pipe constriction at the outlet of the box culvert on State Street where Baker Run crosses. This project has been awarded to the low responsive bidder, Rudzik Excavating, Inc., in the sum of $134,824.21. The project was completed in the summer of 2008.

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· Indian Run Stream Restoration Phase III – Indian Run Stream Restoration – Approximately 1,700 linear feet of Indian Run between Route 18 extending west and north behind the Hermitage Elementary School will be restored using Natural Stream Channel Design techniques. The project will create new floodplain and riparian buffers, which will be planted with grasses, shrubs and trees. The newly created floodplains will assist in the reduction of flood waters, and in conjunction with the riparian buffer will help prevent erosion by stream bank stabilization, reduce non-point source pollution and enhance aquatic habitat. The project is being designed by Wallace & Pancher, Inc. of Hermitage, PA and is planned for construction in late 2009 or early 2010. The City received a Growing Greener II Grant from the Department of Environmental Protection in the sum of $95,000 for construction of the project.

Phase I : School Project completed in 2004
Phase II : Completed Summer 2007
Phase III : Scheduled for construction in 2010 (RT 18 – School)

  July 29, 2010 - Low Bidder Out, 2nd Gets Contract (Indian Run Phase III)

  July 15, 2010 - City Firm Wins Contract to Rehabilitate Indian Run
 

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· 2010 Capital Paving Program

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· 2008-2009 CDBG Stormwater and Roadway Improvements (Neighborhood Investment Program) - Rombold Road area - Census Tract 311 - Block Group 2.

Reconstruction of roadway and updated stormwater infrastructure in the project area.  City Community Development Block Grant funds will be used for this project.  Construction on the first phase of this project is scheduled for the spring of 2010 and will continue into the future based on funding amounts received.

New Information Posted!  BLOCK 2
Work to begin on first phase in late April - early May 2010.
 

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· Highland Road Widening / Sidewalks Project
(Phase II)
  Extension of roadway improvements made between N. Buhl Farm and Kerrwood Drive in 2007. Construction of a middle turning lane and sidewalks on both sides of Highland Road between Kerrwood Drive and North Hermitage Road.
 

Work was completed in October 2009.


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· Maple Drive / Dutch Lane / East State Street Intersection Improvements Project
  Construction of a left turn lane on Maple Drive, sidewalks, and traffic signal improvements.

  $533,000 (80% Federal, 20% Local) - This project is scheduled to begin construction late-Summer 2010.

 

  July 29, 2010 - Construction Nears on Widening of Maple Drive

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· Shenango Valley Bikeway Transportation Enhancement Project

  Project includes designating a bicycle route through the Shenango Valley connecting Wheatland Borough, the Cities of Farrell, Sharon and Hermitage and Sharpsville Borough.  Construction includes installation of sidewalks and stormwater facilities on the north side of Highland Road in Hermitage between Richmond Drive and Buhl Farm Drive, and improvements to existing street network (including signage and grate replacement) to provide for improved bicycle access.  The City has installed the storm drainage pipe on the south side of Highland Road between Richmond Drive and Buhl Farm Drive in August 2007.

Construction began in August 2008.  The project was completed in July 2009.

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· Lamor Road Improvement Project

Status: Construction scheduled for Spring 2010
Project Cost: $600K (approx.)
(ARRA - Federal Stimulus Project)






Project Update - June 16, 2010

Lamor Road opened to traffic on Friday, June 11th.  The majority of roadwork is done, with the exception of minor restoration by the contractor.
 

Jason Kapusta/ Sharon Herald - April 21, 2010

Part of Lamor Road, between North Hermitage Road and Joy Cone Co., in Hermitage has been closed for a widening project that includes adding a center turn lane. Detours have been posted. Other work includes adding new curb gutters and sidewalks accessible to the handicapped, and improving drainage.


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· North Buhl Farm Drive Corridor Project (Elm Street Program)

The City has received a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Elm Street Program to make improvements to the North Buhl Farm Drive Corridor.

These improvements are planned for 2010-2011 and would include sidewalk construction, intersection improvements and other related pedestrian facilities.
 

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· Hermitage Municipal Authority (Sewer) Projects

Daniel Drive Extension Project (2008) - $510k
Magargee Run Project (Hermitage / Jefferson Township) 2009 - $670k
Hermitage WPC Treatment Plant Expansion Project (2009-2012) - $31M
Collection System Improvements (ongoing) - $45k

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· Whispering Pines Park – Phase I of this community park is now complete. Adjacent to the Hermitage Historical Society and across from the Hermitage VFW along East State Street, it consists of a parking lot, restrooms, open play area and approximately 1/2 mile of paved trails with an additional 1/2 mile of unpaved, grass trail. Pedestrians can also access the trails and park from a point along North Darby Road. The trails combine both open areas and beautiful wooded areas in the 22 acre park.


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· LindenPointe Phase II Trails – Phase II of the trails at the LindenPointe Innovative Business Campus is now complete and open for public use. Parking is available in two lots, one off Christy Road and the adjoining lot that is accessible from Innovation Way. Pedestrians can access the trails at points along Christy Road, South Hermitage Road and Emilie Lane. There are now over 1.5 miles of paved trails winding through open and wooded areas of the campus. The City received a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for trail construction, and the City also received a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant in the sum of $8,000 for trail improvements, such as the purchase and installation of benches and trash receptacles. 

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Hermitage Athletic Fields Complex Project - South Darby Road

The proposed City of Hermitage Athletic Complex will help to satisfy the immediate need for additional sports facilities. The City’s initial program for the Complex was for two girls’ softball fields and multi-use fields with one being suitable for competitive games. The program of uses was further expanded to include the necessary support uses for the athletic fields as well as passive and active uses attractive to a variety of age groups. The additional program elements include:

1. A concession stand and restrooms;
2. Informal gathering and picnic areas;
3. Play ground areas adjacent to the fields;
4. Walkways and trails; and
5. Sufficient parking to accommodate consecutive events during the
playing season.

The City intends to build first phase of this project utilizing local bond issue dollars issued in 2005.  The approximate cost of Phase I is $1.5 million.  City officials have completed the master plan and preparing to go out to bid for project construction, excepted in the spring of 2009.  Future phases will be built later based on the availability of funding.

- May 27th, 2009 - Bids were awarded to (4) contractors totaling over $1.7 million.  Construction began in mid-June.

- Construction is approximately 95% complete as of June 16, 2010.

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The project is intended to create a pedestrian connection between the two neighborhoods through the construction of a walking path on two undeveloped parcels of land.  The project has a $20,000 budget ($5,000 of which is grant funded) and was started in late 2008.  The project is complete.

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· Sylvia Stull Farmstead Property (Sample Road)

Sample Road, 40 acres - Bequeathed to the City by former City Board of Commissioners member Sylvia Stull.  The City is currently in the process of planning and taking public input on the future use of this property.

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· Buhl Park Casino Renovation Project

Buhl Park received approximately $1.25M in grant funding through the State and Federal government to complete renovations to the Buhl Farm Park Casino Building. Total Project Cost : $2.5 M  Project construction is scheduled for 2009-2010.




  November 4, 2008 Press Release - $750,000 state grants come through for the Buhl Park Casino project - City received $500,000 in state funds for North Buhl Farm Drive Corridor Project

  May 21, 2009 Press Release - State Rep. Mark Longietti announces $500,000 in additional state funding for Buhl Park Casino Renovation Project

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· LindenPointe Training & Workforce Development Building

Construction is complete. The City received $800,000 in federal grants in June 2008.

More information @ www.lindenpointe.com
 

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· LindenPointe Prosperity Place Street Construction Project

The construction of this new street will allow for access to the future technology center and workforce & training building.  It will also allow access to several undeveloped parcels in the LindenPointe Campus.

Project Cost - $275,000
Completed in November 2008

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· Shenango Valley Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan

The Shenango Valley municipalities of the City of Sharon, City of Hermitage, City of Farrell, Wheatland Borough, West Middlesex Borough & Shenango Township, with assistance from Spotts, Stevens, McCoy, Inc. and the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, are in the process of developing a multi-municipal comprehensive plan for the region.

Two multi-municipal comprehensive plans will be prepared in this planning process. One plan will focus on Farrell City, Hermitage City, Sharon City, and Wheatland Borough. The second plan will focus on West Middlesex Borough and Shenango Township. Both plans will be coordinated with each other and with a multi-municipal comprehensive plan recently completed for the Boroughs of Clark and Sharpsville and the Township of South Pymatuning, so as to result in coordinated planning for the greater Shenango Valley region.  Click here for more details.

 Draft Plan available for viewing (MCRPC link, 43MB)  October 2007

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· Hermitage Town Center Study

The Hermitage Town Center Study is a community-based planning project, sponsored by the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission and the City of Hermitage. The goal of the project is to develop a master plan for the area that will lead to the establishment of a memorable town center for the City of Hermitage; one that creates a unique identity based on a walkable, mixed-use community. The project is focused on the intersection of Rt. 18 and Rt. 62 (State St.), but will extend out beyond that to include to a wider area in an effort to foster connections to the surrounding neighborhoods. The project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as a follow-up to the Rt. 18 North Study completed in 2001 that preceded the widening of the road through the City of Hermitage.  Click here to view the full report.  The Hermitage Town Center Study (w/addendum) was accepted by the Board of Commissioners at their March 26, 2008 meeting.

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