Monroeville council approves $38.8M capital improvements plan

Monroeville officials approved the municipality’s first capital improvements plan, laying out potential big-ticket projects over the next five years.

Municipal manager Alex Graziani laid out roughly $38.8 million in capital projects through 2030 at council’s Aug. 12 meeting.

“All of the projects on the list are fully funded,” he said. “If funding is not available, capital purchases will be curtailed. There won’t be any new taxes or financing needed to implement this plan.”

Getting the plan to that point has meant removing projects at the Monroeville Public Library and municipal public works building from the list.

“Those are things we’re going to have to address,” Graziani said. “Since it’s clear from council that they’re not interested in relocating the public works building or rebuilding it at its current site, we’re going to focus on getting our existing equipment under shelter at the current location. But right now we don’t know what that looks like, or what the price might be.”

As to expansion plans for the library, which seemed to be in full swing a couple years ago before being delayed, Graziani said the municipality is “just not ready yet.”

“Over the next few years, we may be looking at the future of that area, with the library, the nearby senior center and the vacant piece of property between that we do not own, and that has not had its taxes paid since 2006,” Graziani said. “The (Tri-COG) Land Bank is looking to acquire that vacant property and potentially transfer it to us, and the municipality could then work on the senior center and library projects together.”

Most of the capital funding, about 57%, is earmarked for infrastructure and road work.

“I say ‘yay’ to that,” said resident Lois Drumheller. “I also support a feasibility study listed in here for 2026 to look at a possible roundabout at the Center Road/St. Martin Drive/Old William Penn Highway intersection. That is a good idea, and you also may want to look at one where Center Road meets Logans Ferry Road, with the terrible angle you have to take to cross traffic there.”

Council voted 6-1 to approve the 2025-2030 capital improvement plan. Councilman Bob Stevenson voted no.

Resident Gary DiLorenzo congratulated council on adopting the plan.

“You gain knowledge over time and you can improve this plan,” he said. “It’s a beginning. It provides opportunities for transparency, and while it may not be the perfect solution right now, it’s a model.”

Graziani stressed that the plan is only a strategic guiding document, subject to modifications and updates.

“The budget that council passes in December is the ‘engine’ that pulls all the ‘cars’ related to funding,” he said. “The funding in the capital improvements plan will be voted on and finalized during the budget process.”