Greensburg funds easement for Northmont flood control project

Greensburg will pay $2,000 to a property owner to secure an easement that will allow for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance of the proposed Northmont flood control project.

City council on Monday approved making the payment to WRW Properties, which owns 448 Roosevelt Way.

Solicitor Zachary Kansler said the easement will allow construction crews and officials to enter the property and complete the work.

“The city will not own that property; the easement just provides access to the property to construct and maintain the infrastucture,” he said.

With a majority of easements needed for the project already signed by property owners, Kansler said he’s working on clearing out the remaining ones before work can get started.

Letters were sent early this year to owners of properties that would be affected by the proposed project. The target is an unnamed stream that runs parallel to Glenview Avenue in Greensburg’s Northmont neighborhood. It flows mostly through backyards and goes underground before connecting to Jacks Run near Lynch Field.

Greensburg officials had sought easements on 20 properties in addition to a few that are owned by the city.

The proposed project will involve the construction of culverts and U-channels along the unnamed stream that could take up to two years to complete. The work will be funded through a state grant.

Flooding has been happening in that neighborhood for decades. The current status of the easements is the most progress officials have made in years of trying to get the project underway.

Properties where easements were being sought are on Roosevelt Way, New Alexandria Road, Harvey Avenue, Albert Way, Kenneth Street, Kenmore Avenue, Northmont Street and Oakhill Avenue. Some are in Hempfield.

The current version of the project and easements will not cost property owners anything.