Irwin officials to review plans for housing project

Plans for a four-story, 50-unit senior living apartment building next to Norwin Public Library will be publicly unveiled this week.

The Westmoreland County Housing Authority is scheduled to present plans for Grand View Senior Residences to the Irwin Planning Commission at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. The panel offers recommendations to borough council, which could consider approving plans for the site off Laurel Avenue in April, said Rick Burdelski, council president.

With approval, construction on the estimated $11 million project could begin in late summer or early fall, said Michael Washowich, housing authority executive director. With extensive site preparation and earthmoving required, Washowich said he does not expect the apartments to be ready for occupancy for 14 to 16 months after construction begins.

Eight units will be designated for veterans, an arrangement that Washowich said he worked out with the late Donald Kattic, former commander of the J. Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 in North Huntingdon.

Contractors — mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection — can submit bids by April 22.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in October approved the authority’s use of $10 million in federal tax credits, which it can sell to investors to obtain financing. The housing authority also obtained a $2 million low-interest loan and a $1.5 million donation from Westmoreland County.

Housing authority complexes are not taxable, but the authority reached an agreement with Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District to make an annual total payment of about $11,150 for 40 years, with the school district receiving the most.