Export family creates trust to fund new borough building

A family with Export roots wants to build the borough a new municipal center to host council meetings, provide offices for borough officials and create community meeting space.

Two generations of the Orlic family have called Export home for much of their lives. Brian Orlic, of Penn Township, has worked with his uncle to form a trust in memory of his aunt, Export native Patricia (Orlic) Baron.

“My aunt moved a lot during 70 years, but she always kept Export close to her heart,” said Orlic.

Borough Solicitor Wes Long is a member of the governing board of the trust established by Orlic. He said it would support a new building to house the borough offices, “along with other uses like a tax office, a mayor’s office, perhaps even a possible library.”

Mayor Joe Zaccagnini and Councilwoman Melanie Litz are also on the trust’s governing board.

Long said the building could potentially be built on borough-owned property near the current public works garage on Community Park Road. In recent months, borough officials have been discussing plans to relocate the public works facilities.

“It’s been wonderful watching you all grow this town,” Orlic told council at its meeting Tuesday night. “My uncle is 97 years old and still going strong, but we’d be happy to help get this thing started so he can have a chance to see some of the progress.”

Orlic said family members would like to use the trust’s funds also to create a publicly usable garden area in and around the new borough building.

“We’re thinking some paved areas with seating and flowers, and I’ve been talking with Melanie (Litz) about incorporating some of Export’s history into those areas as well, so people can relax and enjoy themselves, but also learn about the town,” he said.

If constructed, the new borough building would be the centerpiece of several recent projects expanding Export’s downtown area along the path of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. They include a replica of the old borough train station, the relocation of its veterans memorial and a paved central parking lot between Washington Avenue and the trail.

The borough would retain ownership of its current building near the corner of Washington and Lincoln avenues.

“It could be a home base for the Export Historical Society, and a place where they can store all the materials they have,” Zaccagnini said.

Long said the project is still in the early planning stages, but felt the time was right to bring it to council.

“It’s very much in its infancy,” Long said. “But if council feels good about it, we’ll start moving forward.”